CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Behind freshman David Mahnke's school-record time and with three runners finishing in the top-20, the Anderson men's cross country team finished third at the Queen City Invite, Friday afternoon at McAlpine Creek Park.
"Our men showed up today to compete, and it shows with their performances," said Anderson head coach Kevin Eagle. "David Manhke broke our 8,000m school record by seven seconds, while Philip (Quillen) and Daniel (Similton) broke the 25-minute barrier for the first time in their careers. Our men executed the race plan perfectly when it came to running as a pack. We held out three of our top guys from today's competition, so this team finish is very encouraging for our future!"
Mahnke trimmed more than two seconds off his previous career-best time, while covering the 8k distance in a school-record time of 24:37.25 and finishing 13th. Senior Philip Quillen claimed 19th place with a career-best time of 24:50.96, with junior Daniel Similton just behind in 20th place on the strength of a career-best time of 24:54.48.
Sophomore Jonathan Roberts (25:13.76) and freshman Ty Nelson (25:18.92) posted season-best times and finished 31st and 36th, respectively, with senior Matthew Burgess finishing 46th in a career-best time of 25:36.56. Freshman David Williams posted a time of 26:48.80 and claimed 118th place.
Anderson will get back on the course next Saturday at the Newberry Invitational.
