MEN'S RESULTS: HOKIE INVITATIONAL
WOMEN'S RESULTS: HOKIE INVITATIONAL

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Senior Gracie Piekarski  paced the Longwood women's cross country team with a top 25 finish, before junior Leon Beard followed with a top 25 finish in the men's division in the season-opening meet for both squads Friday afternoon at the Hokie Invitational.

Beard clocked a time just over the 20 minute mark at 20:03.40 on the 6K course to notch a 25th-place finish of 48 runners in the men's division. Coming off a 2015 season where he was among the top-two in every race, Beard finished with Longwood's top time.

Piekarski's 25th-place finish in the women's division gave the senior the top time on the team for the eighth straight race dating back to last season. She crossed the finish line in 15:44.50 on the 4K women's course.

Three Lancers made their debuts for the women and freshman M.E. Lazorchak was the squad's second-best finisher with a time 17:22.30 and finished 36th overall. Fellow newcomer Madison Winters posted a time of 17:41.30, finishing 19 seconds behind Lazorchak and 39th overall. In addition, Miranda Wilson was the third Lancer to make her debut with a time of 18:13.40 to post a 42nd-place finish.

Longwood placed fourth overall in the event with 109 points, as Virginia Tech captured the team title with 15 points. Big South foe Radford followed with 56 points and Concord followed in third in 74 points.

In addition, Anna Bultrowicz placed 38th overall with a time of 17:39.50, while Erica Mawyer crossed the finish line in 17:54.10 and placed 41st.

On the men's side, freshman William Verhappen finished top-35 in his Longwood debut, finishing 10 places behind Beard and crossing the finish line in 20:54.00. He was one of three newcomers to debut for the blue and white, followed by Justin McFaul in 42nd with a time of 22:04.00. In addition, Alexander Dembek debuted with a time of 22:34.90.

Marc Mawyer was the third Lancer to finish among the top 40, as he crossed the finish line in 21:32.30 in 37th-place. In addition, John Bapties posted a time of 23:12.70 to place 46th overall.

The host Hokies also captured the men's title with 15 points, as the Lancers finished fourth overall. Concord placed runner-up with 55 points and Radford finished third with 67 points.

Longwood will have eight days to prepare for its next meet Sept. 10 at the James Madison Invitation in New Market, Va.

Men's Individual Results (6K – 48 Entries)
25. Leon Beard – 20:03.40
31. William Verhappen – 20:54.00
37. Marc Mawyer – 21:32.30
42. Justin McFaul --  22:04.00
43. Alexander Dembek – 22:34.90
46. John Bapties – 23:12.70

Men's Team Results
1. Virginia Tech (18:56.20 – 15 points)
2. Concord (20:03.42 – 55 points)
3. Radford (20:19.42 – 67 points)
4. Longwood (21:25.72 – 97 points)

Women's Individual Results (4K – 44 Entries)
25. Gracie Piekarski -- 15:44.50
36. M.E. Lazorchak -- 17:22.30
38. Anna Bultrowicz -- 17:39.50 24
39. Madison Winters -- 17:41.30 25
41. Erica Mawyer -- 17:54.10 26
42. Miranda Wilson -- 18:13.40 27

Women's Team Results
1. Virginia Tech (14:26.04 – 15 points)
2. Radford (15:39.58 – 56 points)
3. Concord (16:03.20 – 74 points)
4. Longwood (17:16.34 – 109 points)