Nov. 14, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Kent. -
The North Carolina men's and women's cross country teams took their chances in the post-season on Saturday at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, finishing sixth and fifth, respectively. The Tar Heels will have to wait until Sunday to see if their post-season dreams can come true when the NCAA will announce at-large bids.
Redshirt sophomore Adam Cunningham ran a fast-paced 30:46.85 in the 10,000-meters to take 17th place and be the first Tar Heel to cross the line. This marks Cunningham's best finish in a national event.
Sophomore Evan Watchempino was next for the Carolina men, taking 22nd place in 30:57.30. Watchempino narrowly missed a bid for the NCAA National Championships in 2008 and will have to wait with teammate Cunningham to see if they will go on to Nationals.
Redshirt sophomore John Curtiss ran the 10K in 31:46.43 to finish 46th. Senior Zack Dawson capped off his collegiate cross country career with a 50th place finish in 31:55.03. Sophomore Kyle Milks took 69th in 32:22.02. The six and seven spots for the Heels were held down by junior Sam Pompei (34:25.37) in 169th place and freshman Logan Rosenberg (34:27.32) in 171st.
For the women, sophomore Ashley Verplank came off her All-ACC honors to finish 20th in the 6,000-meters. Verplank ran in 21:14.34 to finish first among the Tar Heel women.
Senior Lauren Holesh, who earned a bid to the NCAA National Championships last season, and freshman Mariana Lucena when two-three for Carolina and 23rd-24th for the meet. Holesh scored a personal best 6K time with 21:22.24. Lucena made her debut in the post-season with her time of 21:24.49.
Redshirt sophomore Callan Fike took 31st place with her time of 21:33.47. Freshman Veronica Wallington placed 70th in 22:19.02 followed by sophomore Cara Hayes (80th) in 22:29.40. Freshman Courtney Whittington also ran for Carolina taking 127th in 23:07.85.
Duke and Virginia took first and second places, respectively to move on to the women's NCAA National Championship. William & Mary and the ACC Champions of N.C. State earned automatic team bids for the men's NCAA National Championships.
The NCAA will announce at-large bids on Sunday. If Tar Heel individuals or the team are chosen, they will head to Terre Haute, Ind., for the national championship races on Monday, November 23rd.
