GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's cross country team, powered by a top-10 performance by freshman Ashton Drake, finished as the runner-up out of 12 teams at the Greensboro Cross Country Invitational at Hagan Stone Park on Saturday (Sept. 29).
 
Drake, a native of Nokesville, Virginia, placed 10th among 79 runners with a time of 28:52.07 on the 8k course. Fellow NCCU freshmen Anthony Williams (12th, 29:30.33) and Mackenson Yrelus (15th, 30:05.06) crossed the finish line shortly after their teammate to spark the Eagles.
 
Freshman Ashley Jean-Raymond (Copiague, N.Y.) topped the NCCU women by placing seventh out of 77 competitors with a time of 21:41.65 on the 5k course. Freshman Ca'Jazzalyn Hairston-Waller finished 11th in 22:16.15.
 
The NCCU women placed fourth out of 11 teams.
 
Up next, the NCCU men's and women's cross country teams compete at the Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.