Milligan women win at Winthrop; Lease, Wright take individual titles
The 26th ranked Milligan College women\'s cross country team battled heat and humidity to win the women\'s team title at the Winthrop/Asics Invitational Saturday. NAIA opponent Shawnee State University (Ohio) finished second.
Senior All-American Megan Lease, who finished 10th at last years cross country nationals, grabbed the individual 5k win for the Lady Buffs. Junior All-American Marta Zimon had another solid performance with a fourth place finish, while former Happy Valley standout Kortney Goulds used a lifetime best to cross the line as the third Milligan finisher. Freshman Emily Schmitt and junior Erika Fox rounded out the Lady Buffs top five. Sophomore Brittany Bales lowered her 5k best by over a minute to run 6th.
Milligan\'s women were without the services of three of their top eight runners. Freshman Jacklyn Talbert, senior Megan Allen, and sophomore Lindsey Davis took the weekend off to rest minor injuries.
On the men\'s side, senior Chris Wright took the individual 8k title. Wright crossed the line 38 seconds in front of second place finisher Larry Gardner of Shawnee State.
The Buffs placed four men in the top 15 as senior Brandon Talbert finished tenth, while freshman Will Frye and junior Jair Collie crossed in 12th and 13th place, respectively.
Both squads will take next weekend off before competing at Appalachian State on September 30th.