WINGATE, N.C. – The Anderson University men's cross country team narrowly missed out on earning the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA National Championships with a fourth-place finish at the 2017 NCAA Southeast Regional, which was hosted by Wingate on Saturday morning.
Nationally fifth-ranked Mount Olive (50), the defending regional champion, narrowly edged Queens (55) for the team title. Augusta (77) also seized a spot in the National Championships by placing third. After finishing ninth a year ago, Anderson (153) claimed the fourth spot by outdistancing Mars Hill, which finished as regional runners-up a year ago. Twenty-three teams were represented at the meet.
UNC Pembroke's Silus Kipkoech was the individual champion in 31:23.6. He and fourth-place finisher Luke Greer of Carson-Newman (31:35.5) earned individual berths to the NCAA DII National Championships on Nov. 18 in Evansville, Ind. The top two individuals not on the three qualifying teams advanced to Nationals. Nick Kipkemei of Queens placed second in 31:24.5, Mount Olive's Adam Craig was third in 31:33.9 and Mason Hazel of Anderson claimed fifth in 31:40.5, while earning All-Southeast Region accolades for the fourth straight year and claiming a spot in the National Championships.
Freshman Ben Clark, a Second-Team All-SAC performer, garnered All-Region recognition by covering the 10k distance in a time of 32:49.07 and finishing 18th. The freshman tandem of Joey Teachout (34:45.31) and Phillip Quillen (34:46.17) finished 61st and 62nd, respectively. Sophomore Luke Horne finished 79th in a time of 35:15.86.
COMPLETE MEN'S RESULTS