Elon Cross Country Opener Results

ELON, N.C. - The Coastal Carolina men's and women's cross country teams each opened the 2016 season Thursday afternoon at the Elon Open with each squad placing fourth.

North Carolina won both the men's 6K and women's 4K races. The Tar Heels scored 41 points to win the men's side, followed by High Point (60), UNC Greensboro (90) and Coastal Carolina (95). Host Elon and UNC Pembroke rounded out the field.

In the women's race, North Carolina scored 23 points to win, followed by Elon (40), High Point (93), Coastal (100), UNC Greensboro (109), UNC Pembroke (154) and Meredith (213).

The Chanticleer men's squad was led by sophomore Hutson Baumann. The transfer from Indiana University of Pennsylvania placed eighth with a time of 19:23. Three other Chanticleers turned in top 25 finishes, including sophomore Josh Small (19:29, 12th), freshman Andrew Southard (19:40, 16th) and sophomore Riaz Tyler (19:54, 24th).

"I thought our top four men did well, "said Coastal Carolina head coach Jeff Jacobs. "If today is an indication, we should be much improved this fall."

Coastal's women team, ranked 14th in the region, was led by Alyssa LeClaire. The freshman placed eighth in her collegiate debut with a time of 14:50. Junior Alesia Muklebust added a 15th-place finish (15:35) while sophomores Kayla Tracy (15:59) and Taylor Creagh (16:09) placed 25th and 26th, respectively.

"Alyssa (LeClaire) had a solid opener as she cracked the top 10 in her inaugural race," Jacobs said. "I was pleased with the women's outcome considering we held out five of our projected top seven athletes for today's race. WE should be at full strength for our home opener next week."

Coastal Carolina will host its annual CCU Invitational at the CCU Hackler Course next Friday (Sept. 9). The first of two collegiate races will begin at 6 pm.