COLUMBIA, S.C. -- For the second straight week, Belmont Abbey claimed a team cross country championship, winning the Akiah McMillian Invitational, hosted by Columbia International.
Zachary Knott placed second overall in the 8k race, finishing in 25:40.7. He was just 1.3 seconds behind Pau Valderrama of Tusculum. Three other runners placed in the top five, with more coming across in 10th and 11th places.
The Crusaders, who were ranked seventh in this week's Southeast Region rankings by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), enjoyed a breakout effort by besting No. 2 Augusta and No. 6 UNC Pembroke, which was also tabbed as the Conference Carolinas preseason favorite.
BELMONT ABBEY FINISHERS
- Zachary Knott, 2nd, 25:40.7
- Nathan Gallman, 4th, 25:58.3
- Elliot Wunder, 5th, 25:58.5
- Brian Sause, 10th, 26:31.6
- John Hetzel, 11th, 26:44.5
- Jose Hernandez, 16th, 27:07.8
- Kolbe Zuniga, 18th, 27:21.5
- Dominic Coffman   28th, 27:51.1
- Thomas Thierfelder, 31st, 27:57.0
- Ben Casteel, 34th, 28:03.7
- Clinton Hubbard, 36th, 28:07.3
- Jack Baird, 48th, 28:56.3
- Irenge Nkere, 49th, 28:56.8
- Ethan Davis, 51st, 29:01.9
- Joshua Moore, 75th, 30:19.6
- Mark Waclawik, 82nd, 30:49.5
- Charles May, 90th, 31:09.4
- Connor Nanney, 109th, 33:47.9
- Thomas Baird, 123rd, 37:42.4
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey concludes its regular season-schedule next weekend the Royal Invitational, hosted by Queens.
- The meet takes place Friday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. in McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, the same venue for the Conference Carolinas Championship next month.
