CHARLOTTE, NC--- The Queens University of Charlotte cross country teams took another step forward as they raced in both the Panorama Farms Cross Country Invitational and the East Carolina University Pirate Invitational. The men finished 10^th at the UVA Invitational while also finishing sixth at the Pirate Invitational. At ECU, the women turned in an eighth-place finish.
 
WHAT HAPPENED?
UVA College & Open Pre-Nationals

• Tom Heal was the leading Royal as he finished 21^st in the Men's Orange 8K at 24:50.6. Zak Freeland then finished 57^th with a time of 25:27.5.
• Victor Tvistholm Jorgensen finished 64^th with a time of 25:33.2. Ethan Davis and Frank McGrath each finished 74^th and 75^th.
• Moritz Kleesiek finished 93^rd with a time of 26:01.5 to get the 10^th place finish for the Royals

 ECU Pirate Invitational

• In the men's race, Nicholas Epps was the leader for the Royals as he finished 34^th at 25:35.1. David Fort then followed at 41^st with a time of 26:14.0.
• Nate Adams and Noah Boeck each finished 43^rd and 44^th with times of 26:17.9 and 26:25.2.
• Naim Bell finished 47^th with a time of 26:31.2 and Timothy Salicco finished 57^th with a time of 28:06.6.
• In the women's race, Sarah Watts finished in the top 20 with a time of 22:39.3. Anna Janke then finished at 25^th with a time of 23:04.8.
• Chloe Widmann finished 53^rd with a time of 24:14.0 and Emilie Noyer finished 55^th with a time of 24:25.2.
• Evie Wild took 59^th place with a time of 24:39.0. Gianna Mars and Brynn Fogarty each finished 76^th and 77^th.

 
FROM JAKE KROLICK
"The results don't show everything going on with this group. A lot of freshmen and sophomores in this group. Tom Heal has a full year of training behind him and he is really starting to take steps forward. I told the other men like Frank, Victor, Zak, and Moritz that they are where Tom was a year ago. I'm excited about where we will be one year from now and by no means disappointed with where we are right now. You just have to stay committed to the process."
 
"Sarah Watts has been extremely consistent with her race results. I really believe she has a big performance brewing for the ASUN Championships in two weeks. Today was also a very positive step for Anna Janke. She's made a big step forward from the home meet last week."
 
Similar to UVA, the group at ECU was a young group. Freshman Nicholas Epps is really finding his stride and fits in the conversation as the other men at UVA. Within the next year, we will be very excited about what racing looks like. Also, Naim Bell returned and put together a nice race after missing the last month with an injury. He has been working really hard in the pool. I really believe he is more fit than before the injury and raced with the fire and belief that I look for in all of our athletes."

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Royals will prepare for the ASUN Cross Country Championships on October 28^th at 9:00 AM in Nashville, TN.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the Royals track and field and cross-country programs on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest news surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics to stay updated on all the Royals sports teams in action by searching @QueensAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.