APSU cross country does well at Front Runner Invitational

October 14, 2012 |

Lady Govs fourth in final tune-up before OVC Championship

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University women’s cross country team got two top-10 finishes in its return trip to Chattanooga at Saturday’s c. The Lady Govs finished fourth out of six squads in the two-mile race, with host Chattanooga taking the overall team title.

Junior Xiamar Richards, the reigning Ohio Valley Conference Runner of the Week and Rossview High graduate, picked up her second top-10 finish at Chattanooga this season. Her fifth-place, 11:38.31 run was one position better and more than 40 seconds faster than her run back on Sept. 7 at the Powerade Invitational.

Senior Chantelle Grey, who finished ninth at the Powerade, was 10th in her return to Chattanooga with an 11:53.54 mark. Junior Kendra Kirksey was one spot behind her with an 11:54.82 run.

Junior Miranda Weed (27th, 13:01.80) and freshman Alexis Eldrige (33rd, 13:21.28), who both improved their marks from the last trip to Chattanooga, rounding out the scoring for the Lady Govs. Senior Alyssa Molnar (39th, 13:37.16) also competed for Austin Peay.

“I’m very pleased with this meet,” said head coach Doug Molnar. “All six women had a personal-best in the two-mile event. Xiamar just missed the school record; she did another great job.”

With 125 team points, the Lady Govs defeated OVC foes UT Martin (152 points) and Tennessee State (251) in Austin Peay’s final tune-up before the OVC Championships, which will be held Oct. 27 in Oxford, Ala.

Kessler leads Govs at Front Runner Invitational

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – In its second trip to Moccasin Bend this season, Austin Peay State University men’s cross country team placed fifth at Saturday’s Front Runner Invitational, hosted by Chattanooga.

Senior Konnor Kessler continued his stellar senior season with a 19th-place, personal-best 16:17.35 mark in the men’s 5K event. It was Kessler’s second top-20 on this course in 2012; he was 14th in the Powerade Invitational, Sept. 7.

Senior Geofrey Kosgie was the second Gov across the line for the first time this season, finishing 22nd after a 16:28.16 run. Junior Tyler Kepley (26th, 16:44.21) joined him in the top 30.

Sophomore David Frattarelli (34th, 17:35.28) and junior Genaro Martinez (39th, 18:14.69) rounded out the scoring for the Governors, each finishing in the top 40 for the second time this season. Freshman Austin Dabbs (48th, 19:43.40) also competed for Austin Peay.

With a team score of 140, the Govs defeated Tennessee State (208 points), but were unable to get past Ohio Valley Conference foe UT Martin (132). Host Chattanooga was the overall winner with 39 points.

“On average, we were over a minute faster than we were on our first trip here,” said head coach Doug Molnar. “David and Konnor were very impressive. We’re getting better each week and that’s what we’re looking for right now.”

The Govs will take next weekend off in preparation for the OVC Cross Country Championships, Oct. 27, in Oxford, Ala.

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