The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Cross Country teams traveled to Portsmouth, Ohio this past weekend to compete in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) race.  The Cumberland men competed in the 8k event while the women's team competed in the 5k event. Both the men and women stepped up to face the competition as the men finished 2^nd out of 9 teams while the ladies also finished 2^nd out of 9 teams. 

Starting with the men's 8k event the first man to cross the line was Landon Hamilton (Andover, OH) who ran a time of 25:57 and finished 3^rd overall. Closely behind Hamilton was Cory Kleinjan (Taylorsville, KY) who finished in 10^th place with a time of 26:32. Next up for the Patriots was Daniel Thurston (Frankfort, KY) who finished with a time of 26:54 and came in a strong 14^th place. Following Thurston was Andreas Lopez (Calistoga, CA) who finished with a time of 27:11 in 15^th place.   Donald Whyte (Miamisburg, OH) finished next in 16^th place with a time of 27:14.

The next finisher to cross the line for the Patriots was Ben Rawe (Melbourne, KY) who finished in 37^th place with a time of 29:27.  The next Patriot to follow Rawe was Eric Phillips (New Castle, KY) who ran a time of 29:37 finishing with 40^th place. Devin Edward (Corbin, KY) finished next with a time of 29:56 finishing in 42^nd place followed closely by Aaron Harrison (Courtland, OH) who finished next in 43^rd place with a time of 30:05. Bradley Faulkner (Williamsburg, KY) finished out the Patriots line up with a 61^st place finish with a time of 32:19.

Looking at the ladies team for the 5k event finishing first was Darcy Mascotti (Bellbrook, OH) who ran a time of 18:52 finishing 3^rd overall. Next up was Danielle Hoop (Owenton, KY) who finished in 6^th place with a time of 19:08. Following Hoop was senior Lauren Kachel (Pickerington, OH) who finished with a time of 19:29 earning her 9^th place. Next up was Christine Moon (Sardinia, OH) who finished in 18^th place with a time of 20:25 followed by Shelby Gibbons (Hamersville, OH) who finished in 19^th place with a finishing time of 20:26.

The next Patriot to cross the line was Adreana Barrera (Dallas, TX) who finished in 27^th place with a time of 21:26.  Meghan Swope (Hamilton, OH) and Audrey Springer (Pataskala, OH) finished next for the Patriots with times of 21:46 and 22:23 earning them 32^nd and 38^th place, respectively. Finishing next was Brittney Bloyd (Louisville, KY) who finished in 45^th place with a time of 22:39 followed by Deanna Gabbard (Mt. Vernon, KY) who finished with a final time of 27:05 in 60^th place.

Several Patriots qualified for the NAIA National Championship Cross Country meet on both the men and women's side of the competition.  Those individuals will compete in Vancouver, WA on November 19, 2011.

For more information on the cross country team or Patriot athletics visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com/.

Article Provided by Sagan King, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia and Athletic Services Graduate Assistant