TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Trailblazer Cross Country teams hit the course again this weekend as VU took part in the John McNichols Invitational at Lavern Gibson in Terre Haute Saturday morning.
Vincennes was again one of only two-year schools competing in the event, facing off with many NCAA Division I teams such as Indiana University, Purdue University, Ball State, Western Michigan and host Indiana State University.
"I thought we ran well today," VU Interim Cross Country head coach Marty Rogier said. "It is a very challenging course but really amazing to have that venue so close."
The VU men's team placed 12th with an average time of 29 minutes and 23 seconds.
Ernest Momodu took the top spot for the Blazers, finishing with a time of 28:29.
Manamanya Opiew and Ian Boit followed close behind, finishing with times of 28:38 for Opiew and 29:03 for Boit.
The Vincennes top five was rounded out by Austin Nigh, who finished at 30:08 and Trey Browne at 30:38.
The VU women's team also faced some tough competition on the course this morning, finishing in 13th out of 14 teams.
Kyra Young led the pack for the Blue and Gold, finishing with a time of 21:01.
Brittany Page and Kaitlyn Koenig ran a tight race, with Page edging out Koenig by a single second, 22:07 for Page and 22:08 for Koenig.
Daisie Kinnett and Hope Laughlin finished out the VU runners with Kinnett ending with a time of 22:56 and Laughlin coming in at 23:56.
"This was a great opportunity for us to run against such high-level competition," Rogier added. "We are getting better every week and with the addition of Assistant Coach Tyler Steigenga and getting Walter Tanui back next week we are going to keep getting better."
The Trailblazer runners will be in action next at the Greater Louisville Classic at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. The first race of the day is set to begin at 10:45 a.m. eastern.
TEAM RESULTS
Men's 8k
Purdue – 36, 24:54
Indiana – 55, 25:11
Eastern Illinois – 55, 25:09
Huntington – 126, 26:10
Indiana State – 143, 26:34
DePauw – 171, 26:54
Lansing CC – 223, 27:35
Maryville (MO) – 243, 27:51
Madonna – 282, 28:20
Rose-Hulman – 300, 28:35
Evansville – 300, 28:56
VINCENNES – 335, 29:23
Individual RESULTS
Ernest Momodu – 28:29
Manamanya Opiew – 28:38
Ian Boit – 29:03
Austin Nigh – 30:08
Trey Browne – 30:38
Reed Lawless – 30:46
Tate Hall – 30:47
Ethan Goebel – 33:04
Kyle Baugh – 34:12
WOMEN'S 5K
TEAM RESULTS
Purdue – 24, 17:49
Indiana – 49, 18:05
Ball State – 87, 18:36
Eastern Illinois – 116, 18:55
Western Michigan – 152, 19:23
Indiana State – 169, 19:29
Indiana Wesleyan – 179, 19:42
DePauw – 244, 20:10
Lansing CC – 276, 20:37
Madonna – 288, 20:52
Evansville – 294, 20:59
Rose-Hulman – 346, 21:45
VINCENNES – 378, 22:25
Maryville (MO) – 390, 24:26
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Kyra Young – 21:01
Brittany Page – 22:07
Kaitlyn Koenig – 22:08
Daisie Kinnett – 22:56
Hope Laughlin – 23:56