FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s and women’s cross country teams each finished fifth in their respective standings in the opening races of the season Sept. 10 at the Fleet Feet/Early Jacoby Memorial, hosted by the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

The top runner for the Montevallo men’s squad was freshman Zackery Walsh, who finished 17th overall with a time of 28:09.

Montevallo finished ahead of Carson-Newman College, University of North Alabama, Christian Brothers University, Stillman College and Miles College.

Sophomore Aaron Bush, a Shelby County High School graduate, finished 21st overall with a time of 28:34, while sophomore Mark McDonald came in 27th with a time of 29:17. Freshman Nick Fasanello was not far behind in 29th with a time of 29:32. Sophomore Jake Davidson came across 51st with a time of 32:35.

The final two Montevallo runners were freshman Brian Smith and sophomore Evan Brock, who finished 53rd and 59th, respectively.

The host, UAH, won the men’s event, followed by the University of West Florida and Austin Peay State University.

The Montevallo women’s squad was led by junior Haley Evans, who finished ninth overall with a time of 20:22.

The Falcons finished ahead of Division I team Alabama A&M as well as Division II opponents University of North Alabama, Christian Brothers University, Stillman College and Miles College.

Sophomore In-Mi Matsunaga finished second for the Falcons and 16th overall with a time of 20:37. Montevallo’s third finisher was senior Ginny Davis, who came in 27th with a time of 21:28. Fellow senior Katherine Schofield finished 30th overall with a time of 21:35. Montevallo’s final scorer was freshman Katie Vanover, who finished 36th overall with a time of 21:54.

Freshman Lauren Recchia finished 39th overall, while junior Kaley Glover finished 41st. Freshman Jessi Clark was not far behind and finished 42nd overall.

The final two runners for the Falcons were freshmen Jill Kleist and Kelli McLaughin, who finished in 51st and 54th, respectively.

The University of West Florida took first in the event followed by Delta State University and Austin Peay State University.

The Falcons’ cross country squads will return to action Sept. 17 as they travel to the Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational in Aiken, S.C.