The USAO Drovers had six members from the men’s and women’s cross-country teams take the course for the NAIA Middle States Classic. Both teams traveled to Winfield, Kan. for the meet, and did not have a team score for this competition.
The men’s team had Tyrike Cunningham, Quintin Pennells, and Ryan Joseph competing. Cunningham held the fastest time out of the trio with a time of 35:50 minutes in the 8K run, which earned him 69th place overall.
Pennells was the second fastest out of the Drover men and placed 73rd overall at the event. He ran the race in 36:51 minutes, which was just five seconds shy of his season best. Joseph placed 80th overall at the event and finished the race with a time of 41:37 minutes.
While Cunningham has competed for USAO’s track and field and soccer teams, this was his first season competing for the cross-country team.
“As much as I dislike it, I knew it would definitely improve my strength and endurance, so it’s been a good addition as a background season,” Cunningham stated.
He also talked about how this season has been good for everyone, as they have been progressing in running faster times and being able to complete each race.
For this meet, the women’s team had Trinity Albao-Cozad, Savannah Creech, and Laura Barrios-Bardi compete for them. This cross-country meet was slightly different than the past ones they’ve been to, as they ran a 6K race instead of a 5K race.
Albao-Cozad was first out of the Drovers and recorded a time of 32:38 minutes at the race. Albao-Cozad had an overall finish of 50th place at the meet. Creech was not far behind her, as she placed 53rd overall and ran a time of 33:13 minutes. Barrios-Bardi also competed in the race but was unable to finish due to injury.
According to the USAO Athletics website, the Drover men’s and women’s cross-country teams will compete at the Sooner Athletic Conference Championship Saturday, Nov. 4. This competition will be held at Elden Lyon Park located in Bethany, Okla.
Gary Jackson is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
