The men and women’s cross country teams traveled north to Smyrna, DE to compete in the Delaware State University Invitational Meet. Both teams were able to put their training to use and give some MEAC a glimpse of what they thy can expect to see in the future.

In the women’s 5k the Lady Aggies had a very strong showing. Freshman Estela Smith won first place and finished the 5k with a time of 19 minutes and 59 seconds. Freshman Helen Griffith placed 3rd at 20 minutes and 6 seconds. Sophomores Miranda Green and Imani Coleman came in 5th and 10th at 20 minutes and 43 seconds (Green) and 21 minutes and 18 seconds (Coleman). Junior Daniqua Dye finished 22nd overall with a time of 23 minutes and 6 seconds, closing the pack for the Lady Aggies.

The team was poised going into the race, “Going in we always have the same mindset, that is to go in and execute. We were there to win, and not step down to anyone,” said sophomore Miranda Green said.

That is exactly what they did, winning the meet with a total time of 1:45:14, freshman and winner of the race Estela Smith, said “running the course the day before, I honestly didn’t think I would like it as much as I did because of its roughness. After the race I felt really proud of the way the team finished, we all pushed each and encouraged each other to get up in the front. Overall I was very happy we all put [in] our best effort.”

The team is expected to compete in the MEAC championships on Oct. 31st. The Lady Aggies seek to capture a cross country title by intensifying their team’s focus and improving their pack running.

The men’s cross country team celebrated a similar success. The Aggies swept the men’s 8k as Darren White took first with at 26 minutes and 15 seconds, Hakeem Mustafaa finished second at 26 minutes 35 seconds, and Perry Cabean came third at 26 minutes and 52 seconds. Steve Stowe finished seventh at 27 minutes 57 seconds and Corey Aiken brought the team in at fifteenth place at 29 minutes and 55 seconds.

When asked about preparation and improvement for MEAC championships, Junior Perry Cabean said “We can improve by staying close in a tight pack with each other for as long as possible,” he continued, “I feel like our toughest competition is every other team. Anyone can win.” The men’s cross country team will also compete in the MEAC championships next Saturday, Oct. 31st in Smyrna, DE.

Hunter Watson – Reporter

—Email Hunter at hawatson@ aggies.ncat.edu