Women's 5k: Overall Results | Team Results
Men's 5k: Overall Results | Team Results

CONWAY - The Coastal Carolina men's and women's cross country teams both took first place at the 9th Annual Coastal Carolina University Invitational on Friday evening.

Men's 5k

For the second straight meet Joseph Keitt, Evan Niciphor and Ryan Beckley crossed first, second and third, respectively, for the Chanticleers. Keitt claimed the individual title after setting a new course record with a time of 15:29.68. Niciphor finished fourth overall, crossing the line in 15:59.77. Beckley turned in a time of 16:06.60 to place sixth.

In the middle of the Chanticleer pack were Dan Riff, Zach Hensel and Cameron Wells. Riff, in his first outing as a Chant, placed seventh overall in 16:07.46; Hensel crossed 9th overall in 16:19.15; and Wells turned in a 5k time of 16:26.97 to place 11th.

Rounding out the Chanticleer runners were Jake Riff and Tyler Cummings. J. Riff, also appearing in his first meet as a Chant, placed 13th in 16:34.56. Cummings crossed 15th overall with a time of 16:43.30.

The Chanticleer men, having placed all eight runners in the top 15, finished in first in the DI team standings with 27 points. Longwood outscored the Citadel 45-61, and South Carolina State took fourth among the DI teams with 108 points.

In the men's DII standings, Concord placed first with 15 points, and Catawba took second after edging Francis Marion 56-65.

Women's 5k

Kyla van Graan continued her impressive start as a freshman, taking the women's 5k individual title with a time of 17:55.14. Senior Emily Marchini repeated her results from the Carolina Challenge two weeks ago, finishing second for the Chants and in the overall standings, clocking in at 18:24.36.

The Chants got a strong boost from the core of the team, placing their next four runners in the top 10. Shelby Nicosia crossed fifth in 19:22.54; Janel Reeves crossed in 19:24.56 to finish fourth for the Chants, sixth overall; Emma Hulburd clocked in at 19:43.38 to claim eighth; and Jackie Brengal placed 10th with a 19:53.34 5k time.

Closing out the Chanticleer runners were LaChelsie Thomas (22nd / 21:06.51), Samantha Stady (23rd / 21:18.20) and Regina Peattie (41st / 23:09.91).

The Chanticleers finished with 22 points in the DI women's team standings. The Citadel placed second in the team standings with 40 points, ahead of Longwood (90 points) and South Carolina State (94 points).

In the DII team results, Charleston (W.Va) claimed the title with 27 points. Francis Marion outscored Catawba 54-70 to claim second, and Concord rounded out the group with 76 points.

The Coastal men's and women's cross country teams return to action next Saturday, Sept. 21, when they travel to Buena Vista, Va., for the Big South Preview.