RICE TURNS IN PERSONAL-BEST 6K TO PACE HIGHLANDERS

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BLACKSBURG, Va. – Senior Courtney Rice recorded the lowest 6K time of her career Friday night to highlight Radford's performances at the VT Alumni Invite.

Rice turned in a time of 23:30.70 to cross the line first for the Highlanders and 40th overall in a field of 93 runners. The time topped her previous best of 23:32.60, set at the 2013 Charlotte Invitational.

"Courtney is continuing to prove she is more fit this fall than ever before as she continues to work toward her goals for her senior year," Radford head coach Eric Thatcher said.

Sophomores Percie Lyons and Allison Brennan also posted their best 6K times in Radford uniforms, with Lyons clocking 24:53.80, and Brennan finishing in 25:40.50. Courtney Burton was the Highlanders' second finisher in the meet, placing 51st overall in 23:46.80, followed by Mariah Quintero who came in 60th with a time of 24:03.60.

On the men's side, Cameron Mims was Radford's top finisher in his first career 8K race. The redshirt freshman posted a time of 26:39.00 to place 60th in a field of 112.

"I was very impressed with his perfectly even splits in each of the first four miles before closing with 5:11 last mile," Thatcher stated.

Freshman Mak Casey made his collegiate debut a strong one as he was second to cross for the Highlanders, finishing 69th overall with a time of 26:52.80. Ashenafi Kidanu was two spots behind in 26:58.80, followed by Haben Zemichael, who ran in uniform for the first time and clocked 27:03.40. Nathan Burgreen rounded out RU's top five with a time of 27:44.80. Kidanu, Burgreen and Jonah Clark each had personal-best 8K times.

Radford's women placed seventh as team, one spot better than last year's meet, while the men took eighth.

The Highlanders will return to action Saturday, Oct. 1 at the UNC Asheville Challenge for the Big South preview meet.

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Players Mentioned

Allison Brennan: Dis.; 5' 5"; Sophomore

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

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

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

Mariah Quintero: Dis.; 5' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Allison Brennan
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: Dis.

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

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

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

Mariah Quintero
: 5' 2"; Junior
: Dis.