Eagles XC Has Success Under the Lights in Alabama

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Reinhardt Eagles Men's and Women's Cross Country started their season at the annual Falcon Classic under the lights on Friday, September 12. The meet featured a strong NAIA and NCAA field, including Auburn Montgomery, West Alabama, and Valdosta State. 

In the women's 5K, which started at 7:30 p.m. CST, the Eagles placed fourth overall with an average time of 20:17. Reinhardt had three runners place in the top 10 on the women's side.

Rylee Fisher, Noelle Dawes, Kimberly Guerra, Teara Snider, and Lily Tullock were the top five for the team, with Fisher, Dawes, and Guerra placing in the top 10. Fisher continues to be the top Eagle after qualifying for the NAIA Nationals last fall.

In the men's 8K, which followed at 8:15 p.m. CST, Montevallo earned a fifth-place finish, placing four runners in the top 40 out of 146 total runners.  Braniff Mahoney led the way, placing 14th with a time of 26:31. He was followed closely by newcomer John Dodson, who was just twenty-five seconds behind Mahoney.  This was a personal record for Dawson.

Ben Pearce was the third Eagle to cross the finish line for the team in his sophomore campaign.  He finished twenty-seventh overall with a time of 27:14. Veteran Will Ort was just seconds behind Pearce at 27:18.

The men's team placed 5th overall out of 18 teams that included all levels of NCAA and NAIA schools.

The meet served as a significant step forward for both squads, with the women setting the new team average record.  The men have a good blend of experienced veterans to go along with a talented group of freshmen and sophomores.  The team will continue to improve as the season progresses, as they look to peak at the AAC Championship coming up in early November.

Both teams will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Bobcat Invitational in Milledgeville, GA. 

• Women's Team Average School Record: 20:17

• Fastest Debut Race in School History: