Gardner-Webb Cross Country Competes in Season Opener at Western Carolina Friday Night
September 01, 2012 | Cross Country
Cullowhee, N.C. - Gardner-Webb cross country competed in its season opener Friday night, running in the Western Carolina University Cross-Country Invitational in Cullowhee, N.C., boasting a number of top showings in its first meet of the 2012 season.
Leading the women was senior Elisabeth Sawyer (Charlotte, N.C.), who raced to a time of 12:21.1 in the 2 Mile Run to record the fastest time for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the event. Sawyer's time was good enough for 22nd place overall.
Fellow senior Ariel Zimmerman (Williamsburg, Va.) came in 25th place overall, crossing the finish line at 12:29.9 next for GWU.
Senior Leah Steinke (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) and junior Katie Spiro (Sylva, N.C.) were next for Gardner-Webb running times of 13:13.6 and 13:15.2 respectively. Senior Megan Frost (Crofton, Md.) rounded out the top five finishers for the Gardner-Webb women, finishing with a time of 13:29.1.
Junior Mike McClay (Lawrenceville, Ga.) led the way for the Runnin' Bulldog men in the season opening 5K Run, recording a time of 16:38.7 to finish 28th overall.
Josiah Stanton-Brooks (Seattle, Wash.) finished with the second fastest time for the Gardner-Webb men, as the senior finished in 17:08.7. Juniors Justin Loy (Burrington, N.H.) and Trey Crook (Lexington, N.C.) were next for GWU, recording times of 17:53.9 and 17:54.5 respectively.
Junior Drew Ford (Wasilla, Alaska) grabbed the fifth spot, finishing with a time of 19:01.8.
Gardner-Webb will be back in action next Saturday (Sep. 8) for the Charlotte Duels 8K/5K located in Concord, N.C. Start time for Saturday's Duels is set for 9:00 a.m.
