The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Cross Country teams continued their season by competing in the Queen City Invitational in Cincinnati, Ohio at Mount Airy Forest Park on September 7th, 2012. Both the Cumberland men and women's teams competed in the 5K event. The men placed 7th out of 12 teams with 147 points and the women placed 4th out of 10 teams with a total of 106 points.
The first race to compete was the men's 5K. First to finish for the Patriot men was Landon Hamilton (Andover, OH) who ran a time of 16:04.06 and finished in 12th place. Not even a full second behind was teammate Donald Whyte (Miamisburg, OH) who ran a time of 16:04.12 for a 13th place finish. Aundreas Lopez (Fort Lee, VA) crossed the line next for the Patriots with a time of 16:40 finishing in 35th place overall. Rounding out the top five for the Patriot men was Jonathan Gears (Andover, OH) who ran a 16:57 and finished in 44th place and Sam Meredith (Taylorsville, KY) finishing 50th place with a time of 17:07.
Next to cross the line was Josh Moon (Batavia, OH) who finished his race in 72nd place after running a 17:40. Sophomore Eric Phillips (New Castle, KY) finished in 84th place after running a final time of 18:10. The next three Patriot men to compete were Devin Edwards (Corbin, KY) who ran an 18:20 finishing in 90th place, Caleb Chappell (Shelbyville, KY) who ran an 18:37 finishing in 100th place, and Kevin Ross (Lexington, KY) breaking 19 and running an 18:57 to finish in 106th place.
The final runners for the men's team were a pair of sophomores Ben Rawe (Melbourne, KY) and Brad Faulkner (Williamsburg, KY) going 19:05 and 19:31 capturing 108th and 115th place. The men's overall team finish was 7th out of 12 competing teams scoring 147 points. The men's team claimed that it was a slow course, and is looking forward to faster times next week.
On the women's side, not only the Patriot ladies but the entire competition was led by Darcy Mascotti (Bellbrook, OH) winning the Queen City Invitational with a very impressive time of 18:41.42. This is Mascotti's first win of the season for the Patriots.
Next to cross the line for the Patriots was sophomore Danielle Hoop (Owenton, KY) who finished in 12th place with a time of 19:51.52. Freshman Casey Richardson (Louisville, KY) who ran a time of 20:31.44 finished in 22nd place. Shelby Gibbons (Hamersville, OH) followed with a time of 20:41.23 in 29th place. Rounding out the top five Patriot ladies was Christine Moon (Batavia, OH) finishing in 49th place running a 21:29.81.
Next place was senior Jennifer Marcum (Springsboro, OH) who ran a 22:36.49 for a 74th place finish followed by junior Brittany Bloyd (Louisville, KY) who crossed the line for the ladies and ran a time of 23:35.81 for a 90th place finish.
The remaining Patriot ladies in the competition were freshman Sydney Freeman (Corbin, KY) and Rebekah Henderson (Nicholasville, KY) who finished in 96th and 99th place respectively with times of 24:07.21 and 24:46.63. The final Patriot competitor was Deana Gabbard (Mt. Vernon, KY) who ran a time of 28:25.10 placing 107th. Adreana Barrera (Dallas, TX) also competed in the women's race but could not finish due to an ongoing shoulder injury. The women's team placed 4th overall out of 10 teams scoring 106 points.
Following the race was a brief awards ceremony where the top 25 finishers were awarded with small plaques and the overall winners were awarded with a trophy. Hamilton and Whyte on the men's side were awarded with a Top 25 Finisher plaque while Hoop and Richardson were awarded the same on the women's side. Mascotti received the overall winner trophy with her phenomenal race.
The Patriots Cross Country team will travel to Cedarville, Ohio for the Cedarville Invitational next Saturday, September 15, 2012.
For more information on the Patriot cross country teams as well as other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.
Article Provided by Danielle Hoop, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia & Athletic Services Student Assistant
