Mountain East Conference: Sports Round up

Concord University men and women’s cross country team takes home conference title for the third straight year on Saturday, Oct. 21. 
Photo By Concord University Athletics

Men’s Cross Country—The Concord University men’s cross country team preserved the Mountain East Conference Championship for the second year, as they took home the conference title for the third straight year, Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex. 

    The team scored 32 points with Charleston scoring 47. 

    Senior Justin Snyder was named the MEC Runner of the Year and was the individual conference champion. He completed the 8,000-meter course with a time of 26:15. Junior Jason Weitzel was named runner-up with his time of 26:33. Senior Tyler Kosut followed up with a second year fifth place title finishing in at 27:23. Junior Michael Ruhnke claimed the final first team all conference spot as he clocked in with a time of 28:23 for 10th place.

    All four Mountain Lion runners were named to the All-MEC First Team. Oct. 21 marked the third time Senior Synder, and Junior Weitzel have earned the title. 

     Freshman Samuel Haynes was the final scoring runner for Concord as he placed 14th with a time of 28:45. Along side, fellow freshman Samuel Thomas earned the final spot of the all-conference second team as he placed 20th with a time of 29:37. Junior Jacob Ashcraft had placed 23rd with a time of 29:37. 

    Saturday made the second time in three years where Concord has had six runners earn all conference honors at the MEC Championship. Due to winnings, head coach Mike Cox was selected as MEC Coach of the Year. 

    Concord Mountain Lions return to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania November 4. 

Women’s Cross Country— The Concord University women’s cross placed third at the Mountain East Conference Championship Saturday, Oct. 21at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex. 

    Freshman  Sydney Haynes was voted Freshman of the Year as she was named to the All-MEC First Team as she placed fifth during the 6,000-meter course. She completed her time in 24:25. 

    Junior Bailey Knowles, Aidan Payton, and Karleigh Thompson all claimed All-MEC Second Team honors. Knowles completed 12th in the race with a time of 25:38. Sophomore Payton followed in right behind in 13th with a time of 25:39, and Junior Thompson came in sweeping 17th with a time of 25:57. 

    Fellow runners, Kenna Knowles placed 21st in the race, sophomore Kate Golinsky placed   27th with a time of 27:46, and junior Kaylin Kessinger placed 28th with a time of 27:53. 

    The CU women’s cross country team will accompany the CU men’s cross country team in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania on wNovember 4.  

Football— Concord University’s football team took victory Oct. 21 against UNC-Pembroke (31-22)  at the Callaghan Stadium in a non-conference game. 

    Senior running back Jamal Petty scored the Mountain Lions two offensive touchdowns, freshman defensive back Jonathan Roebuck brought a defensive score for the team, and senior kicker Jack Keaton scored three field goals. By halftime, Concord was on the board with a 10-point lead even after an unfortunate turnover in the first quarter on the second play of the game. 

    The quarter was preserved when Petty scored a 21-yard touchdown from freshman Adam Fulton, which resulted in a successful two-point conversion from freshman wide receiver Tywan Pearce to senior tight end Jordan Bryant. In the second half, the Braves answered Concord’s lead by tightening the gap, gaining 83 yards in six plays, resulting in a score of 25-22 Mountain Lions. The remainder of the game was primarily a defensive struggle and several Mountain Lions made career milestones with Petty clocking 120 yards rushing, the first time in Concord University history since last year, and scoring his 10th career rushing touchdown. Malik Trollinger, junior defensive lineman, finished the game with two sacks, a career high. 

    The final score was 31-22 Mountain Lions. Conference play will resume on Saturday when the Mountain Lions face West Liberty in a 1 p.m. kick off game.