The AU men’s cross country team came in third place at the Navy Invitational, while the women’s team came in sixth at the Navy Salty Dog Invitational at Annapolis, Md. on Saturday.
The men’s team is currently ranked No. 5 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings. AU’s Jeff Brannigan came in fifth in Saturday’s race, while his teammate Craig Brown came in behind him in sixth. Both set personal best times with Brannigan finishing with an 8K time of 24:14.70, and Brown putting up a time of 24:36.90. Brown won the Mount St. Mary’s 5K Duals on Sept. 3.
Colin Eustis came in 15th place with a time of 25:11.66. Ryan Williams came in right behind him in 16th with a time of 25:16.31. Josh Olsen came in 22nd with a time of 25:24.13.
As for the women’s team, Octavia Rinehardt was the top finisher for the Eagles in the 6K race, with a time of 22:15.20. This is second time Rinehardt has finished in the top-three this season. She came in second at the Mount St. Mary’s 5K Duals. Erin Koch also finished in the top 10 on Saturday, with a time of 22:44.20.
Also placing well in the 6K, the Eagles got points from freshman Carly Birkhold, who finished in 24th place with a time of 23:52.00, Ali Tyburski, who finished in 32nd with a time of 24:17.90, and Leah Haake, who came in 54th with a time of 26:33.70.
“This is our first real cross country race of the season against regionally ranked teams,” Head Coach Matt Centrowitz told AU Athletics. “This is one of the most well traveled courses on the East coast and tactics play a big part in your success. We did very well with a young team and I believe that our future looks bright as we prepare for the Patriot League Championships.”
Navy, who is ranked No. 4 in the Mid-Atlantic Region won the men’s title, while No. 6 Maryland won the women’s race. The men’s field included schools such as Malone, University of Maryland — Baltimore County, Elizabethtown College, George Washington University, Mount St. Mary’s, Johns Hopkins University and University of Louisville. The woman also faced schools such as Malone University, Navy, Johns Hopkins, Louisville, UMBC, GWU and Mount St. Mary’s.
The men’s next race is the Notre Dame Invitational in Notre Dame, Ind., on Oct. 1. The women’s team’s next race is on Oct. 2, in Manassas, Va. for the George Mason Invitational.
You can reach this writer at blasky@theeagleonline.com
