CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte cross country teams turned in strong performances at their home meet on Friday afternoon at McAlpine Creek Park, as the women's team earned a third-place finish in the 5,000-meter Gold race and the men's team placed seventh overall in the 8,000-meter Gold race.
"Happy with the way the team competed today after a long four weeks of training," Head Coach Will Crocker said. "We made a lot of improvements from our last race and we are moving on the right direction as a group as we prepare for postseason racing."
WOMEN'S RACE (5000M)
The Royals women put together a balanced effort led by Weronika Ptaszynska and Laura Marioni, who finished back-to-back in 11th and 12th with times of 17:42.77 and 17:43.46, respectively. Livia Wespe clocked an 18:24.83 for 35th, while Simone Mouras and Annabelle Saindon rounded out the scoring five in 42nd (18:31.40) and 48th (18:38.05).
Additional finishers included Beatty Grace Hite (59th, 18:49.55), Emma Olsen-Keating (62nd, 18:52.96), Lina Mills-Zacapa (70th, 19:01.99), and Rowan Shannon (84th, 19:20.21).
Queens' total of 131 points secured third place in a field of 18 teams, trailing only nationally ranked Northern Michigan and Catawba.
MEN'S RACE (8000M)
On the men's side, Danny Raymond paced the Royals with a 15th-place finish in 24:58.81, marking another sub-25-minute effort. Jacob Sarto followed in 36th (25:29.36), while Preston Gantt posted a 25:48.75 for 51st. Dennis Devine (58th, 25:58.34) and Wesley Wistrom (59th, 26:00.68) completed the scoring pack.
Noah Boeck (76th, 26:20.44) and Oliver Cooper (84th, 26:29.85) also represented the Royals.
Queens finished seventh out of 19 teams, highlighted by competitive depth across its top five.
FULL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Women's 5000m Gold
11th - Weronika Ptaszynska: 17:42.77
12th - Laura Marioni: 17:43.46
35th - Livia Wespe: 18:24.83
42nd - Simone Mouras: 18:31.40
48th - Annabelle Saindon: 18:38.05
59th - Beatty Grace Hite: 18:49.55
62nd - Emma Olsen-Keating: 18:52.96
70th: Lina Mills-Zacapa: 19:01.99
84th: Rowan Shannon: 19:20.21
Men's 8000m Gold
15th - Danny Raymond: 24:58.81
36th - Jacob Sarto: 25:29.36
51st - Preston Gantt: 25:48.75
58th - Dennis Devine: 25:58.34
59th - Wesley Wistrom: 26:00.68
76th - Noah Boeck: 26:20.44
84th - Oliver Cooper - 26:29.85
UP NEXT
The Royals will turn their attention to the ASUN Cross Country Championships, set to begin October 31.
