CHARLOTTE, N.C. - App State men's cross country captured a first-place finish on Friday evening at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, N.C.
The Mountaineers finished with 22 points while six student-athletes placed in the top 11, and five runners set personal bests.
It's the second time this season the Black and Gold captured a team title and the fourth time the Apps have finished in the top three.
"Very happy with the way the team performed today," said head coach
Michael Curcio. "We saw some big PR's and season bests."
Koos Mohlouwa of Monroe College captured the individual title with a time of 24:50.4.
Jackson Nichols led the team with a PR of 25:11.1 to cross the line with a third-place finish, while
Caleb Kirchhoff posted a PR as well, clocking in with a time of 25:22.2 to place fourth.
Continuing the solid day for the Black and Gold was
Ben Datte, whose time of 25:43.5 placed the sophomore in fifth.
Jonah Morris smashed his previous PR of 27:03.8 with a time of 25:57.6 for a ninth-place performance.
Rounding out the leaders were
Michael Maron and
Charles Pace in 10th and 11th, respectively. Maron set a personal mark with a time of 25:59.3, while Pace's time of 26:19.2 was a season-best.
App State will now turn towards the Sun Belt Championships next Friday, Oct. 29 in Mobile, Ala.
Curcio on Performance
"Very happy with the way the team performed today. We saw some PR's and season bests."
On the course
McAlpine is all well known as a fast course. We rarely get to fit in our schedule.
On the host site
Johnson and Wales just started a program, and they found a date they could host. It worked out well for us, and it gave a chance for this group to shine.
