CROSS COUNTRY LOWERS MARKS AT WAKE FOREST

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KERNERSVILLE, N.C. – The Radford men's and women's cross country teams combined to post six season-best times while competing at the Wake Forest Invitational on Friday.

Four of the Highlanders' five scoring women's runners clocked season-best 6K times, including two personal bests. Courtney Burton led the way, setting a new personal record for the second time in as many 6K runs season. She crossed the line in 23:35.27 to place 73rd overall in a field of 173 runners.

Sarah Riley and Courtney Rice also cut their 6K times from a month ago. Riley bettered hers by 26 seconds, finishing in 23:43.08 for 79th place, while Rice clocked 23:52.86 and was 86th. In her first collegiate 6K race, freshman Audra Yarber was right behind Rice in 87th spot with a time of 23:53.89. Rounding out the top five, sophomore Cailyn Lavigne also established a new personal best for the second time this year, taking 39 seconds off by clocking 24:02.50 for 95th place. Freshman Percie Lyons also bettered her previous 6K time.

As a team, the Highlanders placed 10th out of 17 programs in the meet, finishing just ahead of UNC Wilmington. RU was the lone Big South women's squad to run as a team.

Earlier in the day, the men's 8K got off to fast start before warmer temperatures slowed the pace. For the third time in as many competitions, Jacob Black was the first Highlander to cross the line. He clocked 26:36.06 to take 71st out of 174 runners. Chaz Porter was next with a time of 26:46.82 (81st overall), followed by Brady Guertin, who posted a season-best 27:01.73 for 93rd spot. Ryan Farnan crossed right behind Guertin in 94th with a time of 27:03.30 and Harrison Murn was the fifth RU finisher in 28:03.62.

Radford was 13th out of 18 teams, placing just ahead of Coastal Carolina, the only other Big South men's program in the team competition.

The Highlanders will be off next weekend as they prepare for the Big South Championships, which will be held in Spartanburg, S.C. on Oct. 31.

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Players Mentioned

Courtney Burton: Dis.; 5' 10"; Junior

Cailyn Lavigne: Dis.; 5' 6"; Sophomore

Courtney Rice: Dis.; 5' 6"; Junior

Sarah Riley: Dis.; 5' 6"; Freshman

Audra Yarber: Dis.; 5' 4"; Freshman

Percie Lyons: Dis.; 5' 2"; Freshman

Jacob Black: Dis.; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Brady Guertin: Dis.; 5' 5"; Sophomore

Harrison Murn: Dis.; 5' 11"; Senior

Chaz Porter: Dis.; 6' 1"; Senior

Ryan Farnan: Dis.; 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Courtney Burton
: 5' 10"; Junior
: Dis.

Cailyn Lavigne
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: Dis.

Courtney Rice
: 5' 6"; Junior
: Dis.

Sarah Riley
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Dis.

Audra Yarber
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: Dis.

Percie Lyons
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: Dis.

Jacob Black
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: Dis.

Brady Guertin
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: Dis.

Harrison Murn
: 5' 11"; Senior
: Dis.

Chaz Porter
: 6' 1"; Senior
: Dis.

Ryan Farnan
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior
: Dis.