CONWAY, Ark. – Shanieke Watson captured the women's individual title as the Little Rock men and women both notched runner-up team finishes at the 2018 Central Arkansas Cross Country Invitational at Beaverfork Park.
2018 UCA Cross Country Invitational Results: Men | Women
The Trojans tallied 61 total points on the women's side, placing second among 11 schools in the 5,000 meter race. Little Rock's men posted 66 total points, finishing second among the 10-team field.
Watson raced out to an early lead in the women's race and never looked back, crossing the finish line with a time of 18:28.94, finishing 37 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Watson was joined among the top-10 by
Hunter Paul, who placed sixth with a time of 19:17.72.
Vianney Sanchez was the third Trojan to cross the finish line, doing so at the 20:14.58 mark to place 13th and pick up nine team points for Little Rock.
Hannah Manning placed 16th overall at 20:30.51, earning 12 points for the Trojans, with
Kim Boni earning the final points for Little Rock, placing 47th at 23:06.91, registering 36 points.
For the Trojan men, five different runners finished between 10th and 19th, led by Ricardo Banks placing 10th with a time of 16:56.82. He finished just ahead of teammate Anthony Puerta in 11th, crossing the finish line with a time of 16:59.89.
Carter Reynolds placed 13th, finishing three seconds back of Puerta at 17:02.36, followed by Emilio Medina in 15th with a time of 17:09.03. Hunter Tucker was the final point scorer for Little Rock, finishing 19th overall and garnering 17 points with his 17:23.19 time.
Central Arkansas won both the men's and women's races, finishing with 19 points on the men's side and 24 on the women's. The victories give the Bears four more points in the Governor's I-40 Showdown as UCA has extended its lead over Little Rock at 8.5 to 1.5 after four events.
After running races in back-to-back weekends, Little Rock will now have a week off before returning to action Saturday, September 22. The Trojans will make the yearly trek to northwest Arkansas for the 30th Annual Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville.
Little Rock Women's Results
1.
Shanieke Watson – 18:29.94 (1 pt.)
6.
Hunter Paul – 19:17.72 (4 pts.)
13.
Vianney Sanchez – 20:14.58 (9 pts.)
16.
Hannah Manning – 20:30.51 (12 pts.)
47.
Kim Boni – 23:06.19 (35 pts.)
60.
Akeia Joyner – 24:30.38
Little Rock Men's Results
10. Ricardo Banks – 16:56.82 (10 pts.)
11. Anthony Puerta – 16:59.89 (11 pts.)
13. Carter Reynolds – 17:02.36 (13 pts.)
15. Emilio Medina – 17:09.03 (15 pts.)
19. Hunter Tucker – 17:23.19 (17 pts.)
65. Garrett Rokas – 20:38.81
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