BREVARD, N.C. --- The Tusculum University men's cross country team captured its second consecutive meet title as the Pioneers finished first at the Brevard Cross Country Classic on Friday evening.
Tusculum's Nathan Buckeridge earned his second race victory in a row as he covered the 8-kilometer course in 25:35.34, beating teammate Albert Ziegler by more than a minute. The Pioneers had three finishers in the top five in the field of 120 runners and accumulated 54 points, beating out Emory & Henry (69 points) for the team title.
The Pioneer women placed fifth overall in the field of 15 teams, led by junior Jesica Mbhamali who took 10th place with a time of 19:32.1 for the 5-kilometer race.
Tusculum will host the South Atlantic Conference Preview meet on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Kinser Park.
MEN'S RECAP
Buckeridge, who won the Roane State Invitational last Friday, became the first Tusculum runner to win consecutive meets since Simon Holzapfel went undefeated in six races during the 2010 season. Buckeridge is the first Pioneer with two wins in a season since David Cooper in 2012.
Tusculum has won back-to-back meets for the second time in program history, and the first since the 2003 season. The 15-team meet is the largest field that the Pioneers have beaten in program history.
Ziegler took second place, finishing 74 seconds behind Buckeridge with a time of 26:49.88. Junior Tomas Ribeiro was fifth overall in 27:25.43, with freshman Coen Morgan in 21st place at 28:19.75. Senior Jerry Ricker was the final scorer for the Pioneers as he took 25th overall at 28:27.64.
Also running for the Pioneers were freshman Casen Davis, who was 51st overall in 29:36.04, along with junior Simon Ray who placed 60th in 29:50.95.
Rounding out the top five in the team standings behind Tusculum and Emory & Henry were North Greenville in third with 154 points, Newberry fourth with 156 points and Presbyterian in fifth with 159 points.
WOMEN'S RECAP
The Pioneers took a fifth-place finish in 15-team field, placing behind North Greenville (36 points), Gardner-Webb (39), Lander (115) and Milligan (121) with 174 points.
Mbhamali was the top finisher for the Pioneers, earning a 10th-place result at 19:32.1. Freshman Hannah McLain was 29th in 20:40.1, followed by freshman Abby Counter in 32nd place at 20:45.2. Freshman Tristen Douthat was 52nd overall in 21:59.2, and freshman Ruby Groves was Tusculum's fifth runner with a time of 22:01.0 for 55th place.
Also competing for the Pioneers were freshman Skyler Shinn, who was 78th overall in 23:15.6, and senior Maya White Eagle was 101st in a time of 28:01.6.
Gardner-Webb swept the top two spots in the women's standings, with Jessica Perriello winning in 18:19.0 and Megan Devanny as runner-up in 18:29.4.
Brevard XC Classic - at Brevard, N.C.
Tusculum results
MEN
1. Nathan Buckeridge, 25:35.34; 2. Albert Ziegler, 26:49.88; 5. Tomas Ribeiro, 27:25.43; 21. Coen Morgan, 28:19.75; 25. Jerry Ricker, 28:27.64; 51. Casen Davis, 29:36.04; 60. Simon Ray, 29:50.95.
Team scores (Top 5): 1. Tusculum 54; 2. Emory & Henry 69; 3. North Greenville 154; 4. Newberry 156; 5. Presbyterian 159.
WOMEN
10. Jesica Mbhamali, 19:32.1; 29. Hannah McLain, 20:40.1; 32. Abby Counter, 20:45.2; 52. Tristen Douthat, 21:59.2; 55. Ruby Groves, 22:01.0; 78. Skyler Shinn, 23:15.6; 101. Maya White Eagle, 28:01.6.
Team scores (Top 5): 1. North Greenville 36; 2. Gardner-Webb 39; 3. Lander 115; 4. Milligan 121; 5. Tusculum 174.
