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CSU Cross Country Programs Fail to Qualify for NCAA Championships
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Charlotte, NC – The Columbus State University cross country programs competed in the NCAA Southeast Regional meet on Saturday morning in Charlotte with the men finishing in eighth place while the ladies grabbed the 11th spot. Both teams failed to qualify for the NCAA National Championship meet in Spokane, WA later this month.
On the men's side, Queens and Mount Olive gained the automatic bids for the national meet finishing in first and second place respectively. Individually, UNC Pembroke's Pardon Ndhlovu won the meet crossing the line in 30:55.5.
For CSU, John Neill arguably ran the best race of his season finishing in 15th place to lead the Cougars. With his time of 32:34.7, Neill grabbed All-Region honors for the first time in his career.
Ian Edwards was the second highest finisher for coach J.D. Evilsizer. Edwards finished in 33rd place with a time of 33:06.2. All-Peach Belt Conference runner Andy Henderson was right behind his teammate crossing the line in 33:09 for 34th place.
Junior Brandon Skiles also had a good performance in North Carolina as the junior had the 67th best time in the race. Skiles ran the 10k course in 33:54.8. The final team scorer for the Cougars was Nathan Reeves. Reeves finished in 73rd place with a time of 34:08.4.
Silas Rugut (90th, 34:45.1) also competed in the race for Columbus State.
For the women, Queens and Montevallo will advance to the National Championship from the Southeast Region as the Royals swept both races while UM will compete in their first national meet in program history. Kate Griewisch of Lenoir-Rhyne won the race with a time of 20:38.3.
Junior Moneque English led the way for the Lady Cougars as she finished the race in 23:23.3 for 29th place. Her twin, Moneka English crossed the line in 43rd place with a time of 23:49.3.
Renee Usher was the next top runner for CSU as the freshman grabbed a top-50 finish. Usher finished in 49th place with a time of 23:54.8.
Caroline Rotich had a time of 24:22.5 finishing the race in 75th place. The final scorer for the Lady Cougars was Shelby Nelson. Nelson had a time of 24:28.6 which was good enough for 81st place.
Jamesha Cochran (112th, 25:24.5) and Lindsay Groenewald (122nd, 25:40.8) also competed in the race for Columbus State.
