Ndhlovu Breaks School Record as UNCP Takes First At Augusta State Tri-Meet
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Sophomore Pardon Ndhlovu broke his own school record with a time of 24:28.7 in the 8K run to lead the UNCP men's cross country team to a first place finish at the Augusta State Tri-Meet in Augusta, Ga. Seven Braves posted new personal records as four UNCP runners crossed the finish line in the top 5.
Ndhlovu, who broke a 22-year old school record last season and matched the same mark of 24:35, last week, crossed the finish line first. Zach Bayless, who holds two other times in the top 20, finished second with a time of 25:27.0 for his personal best and the 10th fastest time in school history. Freshman Chris Schroll, who also holds a time in the top 20 as well, finished in fourth with a new personal record of 25:51.1 which ranks as the 12th fastest time in UNCP history. Junior Kevin Clancy made his debut in the record books with the 14th fastest time and a new personal best of 26:00.6 as he crossed the finish line fifth.
Steven Merritt posted a personal best with a time of 26:59.8 in finishing 13th and Tom McDonough ran a time of 29:56.1 to cross the line in 26th.
"We are extremely pleased with the times and effort given in the race, especially with the school record being broken," said UNCP head coach Gary Aycock. "This course was flat, making it a fast course and allowing us strong finishes which we need heading into the conference championships."
UNCP finished first overall with 25 points, Georgia College finished second with 47 points and Augusta State placed third with 52 points. Clay Holton crossed the finish line third as the first runner for Augusta State posting a time of 25:46.0. Rounding out the top 10 was Dustin Ross (7th, 26:07.1) and Rob Blackwelder (10th, 26:36.1) of Augusta State and Daniel Horseman (7th, 26:11.6), Tyler Mattix (8th, 26:26.9) and Philip Laskey (9th, 26:28.8) of Georgia College.
UNCP will head to the Peach Belt Conference Championships on November 6 at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans Ga. The men's 8K race is set to begin at 9:00 a.m.
UNCP Results:
Pardon Ndhlovu (1st, 24:28.7)
Zach Bayless (2nd, 25:27.0)
Chris Schroll (4th, 25:51.1)
Kevin Clancy (5th, 26:00.6)
Steven Merritt (13th, 26:59.8)
Tom McDonough (26th, 29:56.1)
