CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Eleven North Carolina Central runners posted their fastest times of the season at the Royals Cross Country Challenge, held Friday, Oct. 10, at McAlpine Creek Park.
WOMEN'S GOLD 5K RACE
All six Eagles posted season-best times in the women's Gold 5K race in Charlotte. Three Eagles ran under 19 minutes including
Alitza Dennard (18:35.42),
Kayla Johnson (18:39.72) and
Laila Jackson (18:47.17).
After Friday's results, Dennard is the top-ranked runner in the MEAC. Johnson is third and Jackson ranks fifth.
Navi McDowell ranks 11
th,
Gianna Marquez ranks 17
th and
Victoria Swepson is 21
st heading into Saturday, Oct. 11.
Four runners - Dennard, Johnson, Jackson and McDowell – recorded personal-best times at the meet.
Overall, the Eagles placed 11
th out of 18 teams in a very competitive field.
MEN'S GOLD 8K RACE
Five Eagles ran season-best times in the men's Gold 8K race.
Emmanuel Paddyfote, who led the way with a time of 25:49.64, was the only Eagle to run under 26 minutes.
After Friday's performance, five NCCU runners are ranked among the top 25 in the MEAC heading into Saturday, Oct. 11.
Ryan Chong is 11
th followed by Paddyfote at 12
th and Hinkle at 15
th.
Evans Kimutai and
Juan Tinajero Jr. are ranked 21
st and 24
th, respectively, in the conference.
Overall, NCCU finished 13
th against tough competition in the 19-team race.
NCCU WOMEN'S GOLD 5K RESULTS
45
th –
Alitza Dennard – 18:35.42 (season best)
49
th –
Kayla Johnson – 18:39.72 (season best)
55
th –
Laila Jackson – 18:47.17 (season best)
99
th –
Navi McDowell – 19:32.85 (season best)
124
th –
Gianna Marquez – 20:09.09 (season best)
131
st –
Victoria Swepson – 20:22.98 (season best)
(164 women's runners competed)
NCCU MEN'S GOLD 8K RESULTS
54
th –
Emmanuel Paddyfote – 25:49.64 (season best)
61
st –
Avan Hinkle – 26:02.45 (season best)
87
th –
Ryan Chong – 26:32.12
101
st –
Evans Kimutai – 26:48.05 (season best)
111
th –
Juan Tinajero Jr. – 27:04.18 (season best)
168
th –
Kyllen Weathers – 30:40.72 (season best)
(185 men's runners competed)
UP NEXT
The Eagles will spend the three weeks preparing for the MEAC Championships, which will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., on Nov. 1.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
