By Katherine Jamtgaard. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The App State men’s and women’s cross country teams wrapped competition at the Virginia Invitational on Friday. The men’s team placed third with 88 points, while the women finished sixth in the team standings with 141 points.
For a second consecutive race, sophomore Thomas Wlazlowski was the first Mountaineer to cross the finish line, clocking an 8K time of 24:58.1 to place 10th. His time was 13 seconds shy of his personal best of 24:45.6, which he set at the 2024 Joe Piane Invitational. Senior Ethan Lipham placed 11th with a time of 24:59.4. Redshirt senior Chase Burrell and freshman Tate Shore finished 19th (25:10.8) and 21st (25:12.7, PR), respectively. Thomas Ashley and sophomore Henry Stark rounded out the top 30 with times of 25:19.4 (PR) and 25:20.9. In his debut in the Black and Gold, freshman Bryant Young clocked an 8K personal best of 25:30.6 to place 32nd.
“The guys got into groups and worked on racing together. We did not do a great job at the home meet of running together, so we have been working on it,” said men’s distance coach Brad Herbster. “Wlazlowski and Lipham ran tough, as did Burrell and Shore. Ashley had a nice improvement, it was good to get Stark back in the team mix, and Young had a good first 8K. We have three weeks to make adjustments and improve before the next race at home.”
WOMEN’S DIVISION
In the women’s 5K, freshman Elizabeth McCart set pace for the Mountaineers, clocking a time of 18:06.1 to improve her personal best by 36 seconds and place 21st overall. Sophomore Breanna Budzinski took 24th after stopping the clock at 18:09.3. Freshman Josie Jackson (18:20.6), sophomore Savanah Moore (18:26.2, PR), and freshmen Ashby Williams (18:28.5) and Tessa Massa (18:31.2, PR) rounded out the top 40.
“Today was a great opportunity to preview the course that we will run at the NCAA Southeast Regional this season,” said women’s distance coach Annie Richards. “I was impressed with how our team ran as a pack throughout the race. McCart, Budzinski, and Jackson were strong as our first three runners for our team today. Our freshmen continue to show up and score for our team, which is exciting for the future of the program.”
Virginia’s Justin Wachtel won the men’s race with a time of 23:52.6, while Virginia’s Gillian Bushee won the women’s race with a time of 16:39.9.
Up Next
The Mountaineers return to Boone for the Firetower Project Run on Oct. 3. The men’s 8K is scheduled for 5 p.m., with the women’s 6K to follow at 5:40 p.m.
Virginia Invitational Team Scores
Men’s Team Scores
1.Virginia – 18 points
2. Johns Hopkins – 59 points
3. App State – 88 points
4. William & Mary – 103 points
5. George Washington – 107 points
6. Norfolk State – 162 points
7. Western Michigan – 205 points
8. Mary Washington – 250 points
9. Howard – 265 points
Women’s Team Scores
1.Virginia – 19 points
2. William & Mary – 65 points
3. Johns Hopkins – 77 points
4. Richmond – 105 points
5. George Washington – 116 points
6. App State – 141 points
7. Western Carolina – 240 points
8. Howard – 246 points
9. Norfolk State – 274 points
10. Mary Washington – 292 points
