BOONE, N.C.- Junior Michael Crouch (Yucca Valley, Calif., Yucca Valley)ran away from a talented field on Friday afternoon with a time of 24:19 for 8,000 meters at the Appalachian State University Blue Ridge Open. Crouch topped runners from top Division I teams, Duke, UNC, Appalachian State and Clemson. With Crouch's efforts and the help of his fellow Royals runners Queens captured second place, behind University of North Carolina.

Crouch pulled away from professional athletes Zap Fitness in the 3rd mile to capture his second victory of the season. Closing strong for the Royals was junior Oscar Ogwaro (Los Angeles, Calif., Woodrow Wilson)finishing in sixth place with a time of 21:06. Running his best race of the season was junior Futsum Mebrathu (Phoenix, Ariz., North). Mebrahtu pushed from the gun and was rewarded for his effort with a near personal best of 25:07. Rounding out the scoring for Queens was junior Matthew Rowell (Show Low, Ariz. , Blue Ridge )with a time of 25:16 and senior Ryan Connelly (Hillsborough, N.C., Orange) with a new personal best of 25:45.

Head Coach Scott Simmons was pleased with how his athletes competed this weekend. “Today was a good step in the right direction for the National Championships. We have put in a lot of work and still have lot of training to do in the next month,” remarked Simmons. “I am confident our guys will continue to improve their fitness and racing skills.” 

This was Queens' final tune-up before starting the championship portion of the season, which begins Saturday, Oct. 25,  at the Conference Carolinas Championships at Belmont Abbey College.