SALEM, Va. – Two trophies. One individual champion. Eight names in the program's record book. Safe to say that the Radford men's and women's cross country teams wrapped up the 2022 regular season in impressive fashion on Friday evening as they dominated at the Roanoke XC Invitational.
Both the men's and women's teams picked up the victory and completely shook up the programs' record books. In the women's race,
Lucy Thornton was crowned the individual champion as the Highlanders claimed the top eight spots.
The race was held at Green Hill Park and served as the final tune up before the Big South Championships later this month. The men opened the meet with an 8,000-meter run before the women finished the night off with a 6,000-meter race.
MEN'S RESULTS
The trio of
Sam Sikora,
Luke Richards and
Maxton Sowers all finished in the top ten to lead Radford's efforts for the team victory. Sikora came across the line with a time of 25:23.7 to pace the Highlanders, a performance quick enough to put his name at sixth all-time in the program's record book.
Richards also etched his name in history. The junior posted a time of 25:31.7, good enough for ninth all-time in the archives. He finished eighth in the race.
Sowers and
Nick McCumsey both recorded sub-26-minute times. Sowers finished the race in 25:47.0 to round out the top ten while McCumsey's 25:58.9 performance was good enough for 12
th place.
Charlie Dance was the final scorer for Radford. The freshman came across the line 16
th after registering a time of 26:03.8.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
Thornton topped the podium with a time of 20:51.6, the second-fastest 6K time in the history of the program.
Chloe Wellings was just behind her, registering a time of 20:53.2 to claim second place. Her time was good enough for third place in the Highlanders' record book.
MegAnne Gilmore's performance helped Radford sweep the podium. Her sub-22-minute time of 21:42.4 positions her fifth in program history.
Sophie Magson,
Abby Seigel and
MacKenzie Gardner all posted times quick enough to put their names in the record book as well. Magson (22:01.0), Seigel (22:01.7) and Gardner (22:14.2) helped claim the next three spots in the race for the Highlanders.
Rachel Millirons (22:26.7) and
Savannah Hoff (22:42.6) kept the string of consecutive finishes alive for the Highlanders as Radford claimed the top eight spots in the race and ten of the top 12 finishing positions.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will have next weekend off as they begin preparations for the postseason. Radford will return to action on Oct. 29 to compete in the Big South Championships at Longwood University.
FOLLOW RADFORD CROSS COUNTRY
For more updates on the Radford Cross Country program, check out RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordTrackXC on Twitter as well as @radfordtrackxc on Instagram and Radford Track and Field and Cross Country on Facebook.
