9.13.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University men's and women's cross country ran in the JMU Open Invitational on September 10 at the New Market Battlefield near Harrisonburg.  The women placed in a tie for third among five teams, and the men finished fifth among seven teams.  The Lancers, coached by fifth-year head coach Catherine Hanson, will participate in the Adidas Cross Country Challenge on Friday, Sept. 16, at the WakeMed Soccer Park beginning at 5:15 p.m. in Cary, North Carolina.
 
A Look Back At The JMU Open Invitational
Navy took first place in the women's race with 26 points, followed by host James Madison (29), Longwood and Mary Washington (106), as well as Bridgewater (122).  Navy's Jess Placio was the individual winner with her time of 19:06, while the Lancers were led by junior Alisha Royal|Vinton (William Byrd) with her time of 20:37 over the 5200-meter course.  Royal placed 13th among 63 runners and was making her season debut while running just her third collegiate race after being sidelined by various injuries for most of her first two years with the program.  She was followed by senior Jessica Alley|New Castle (Craig County) (21:16, 23rd), junior Megan Short|Sicklerville, N.J. (Timber Creek) (22:58, 38th), freshman Elisabeth Drake|Hayes (Gloucester) (23:03, 39th), juniors Jenna Sprinkle|Buchanan (James River) (23:57, 51st) and Rebecca Denny|Virginia Beach (Kempsville) (25:03, 56th), along with sophomores Emberli McGann|Stuarts Draft (Stuarts Draft) (25:21, 58th) and Crystal Baxley|Virginia Beach (First Colonial) (25:44, 59th).
 
Duke University took first place in the men's race with 15 points, followed by Navy (58), George Mason (80), Mary Washington (117), Longwood (159), Howard (169), and Bridgewater (175).  Duke's Morgan Pearson was the individual winner with his time of 25:01, while the Lancers were led by freshman Nick Reed|Fairfax (Robinson) with his time of 27:34 over the 7900-meter course.  Reed placed 33rd among 79 runners and was making his collegiate debut.  He was followed by junior Sean Flynn|Goodview (Roanoke Catholic) (27:49, 37th), senior Justin Cooke|Chesterfield (Manchester) (29:15, 54th), sophomore Kyle Moller|Gainesville (Battlefield) (29:17, 55th), senior Robert Webb|Williamsburg (Lafayette) (29:30, 57th), freshmen Matt Wallace|Lynchburg (Brookville) (29:46, 61st) and Ryan Canoy|Williamsburg (Bruton) (30:10, 64th), along with seniors Alex Strittmater|Haymarket (Battlefield) (31:35, 74th) and Anthony Caldwell|Charlottesville (Manchester) (32:26, 75th).
 
Head Coach Catherine Hanson
“Talk about an impressive field at JMU.  I cannot recall seeing such a competitive field at this meet in the last three years we have competed there.  Duke brought its entire team and swept the front of the men's race with the forerunner running easily alone.  The grit our kids showed me was tremendous.  Overall, some great performances and some even better teaching moments for myself.
 
“Seeing the United States Naval Academy pull in with its entire women's squad was very impressive.  However, it did not make my women flinch at all!  Alisha Royal had her first race where she was truly ready to make an impression.  She has gained tremendous strength this summer, and I anticipate her being a top finisher as she was this past weekend.  It is wonderful to see her grit, confidence and determination as she went out with the top girls at JMU.  Jessica Alley tends to race a little more confidently while going out slower and letting her high mileage threshold training reinforce her building throughout the race.  She will continue to gain speed as her workouts increase.  I am pleased they ran so well against the schools we stood next to this weekend.  We are truly growing and improving!”

A Look Ahead At The Adidas Cross Country Challenge
North Carolina State University will host its races at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.  Both the men and women will run 5K races scheduled for 5:15 p.m.  Last year, Duke won the 12-team men's event, while Navy won the 11-team women's competition.  Sean Flynn is the top returning men's finisher from a year ago, running an 8K time of 27:01.  Jessica Alley is the top returning women's finisher from last season when she ran a career-best 5K time of 19:40.
 
2011 Captains
Justin Cooke is serving as the men's team captain for the first time, while Jessica Alley is serving as the women's team captain for the second consecutive season.

Up Next
Longwood will participate in the Charlotte Cross Country Invitational on Sept. 30 in Charlotte, North Carolina at 4 p.m.