AU men's cross country dominates; Taylor and Brickey pick up individual wins
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
The Augusta University men’s cross-country team won the Eye Opener Invitational in dominant fashion on Friday, Sept. 4 in Spartanburg, S.C. and junior Kai Brickey took the individual win, covering the 8-kilometer course in a time of 25:27.3.
The AU women’s team finished third. The Jaguars were led by junior Mackenzie Taylor, who continued her undefeated cross-country streak from last season, winning the 5-kilometer race in a time of 18:19.8. Taylor bested the field by more than 30 seconds.
The men had their top seven runners finish in the top 10 of the race. Brickey was closely followed by junior Hans Troyer, who finished second with a time of 25:39.4.
AU had a strong pack of runners as they had their next five finish in order fifth through ninth with freshman Thomas Rischar (fifth, 26:20.8), sophomore Carlos Rodriguez (sixth, 26:30.9), and three true freshmen, Patrick Motes (seventh, 26:34.4), Andrew Todd (eighth, 26.34.9) and Grant Crabtree (ninth, 26:39.4).
The Jaguars scored 21 points as Division I USC Upstate finished second with 56 points, followed by Erskine College with 121.
“They ran extremely well, and it shows we have a lot of depth,” said Adam Ward, coach of the AU cross-country teams. “With the group we had, we looked really good, and we just have to grow and develop.”
For the true freshmen this was there first 8K race they have ever done jumping up from the 5K distance they ran during their high school careers. Motes said he was proud of the Jaguars performance and surprised himself in his first race.
“It was a great learning experience, and I think we executed our plan greatly,” said Motes. “I really surprised myself, and the way our team ran that race with all of the freshman guys and Thomas and Carlos coaching us through, it was just a good experience and super exciting.”
On the women’s side, graduate transfer Hannah Beach (15th, 19:48.2) and freshman Cassie Lagan (22nd, 20:16.2) were the second and third finishers for the Jags finishing inside the top 25. Freshmen Haley Gilbert (20:25.1) and Caroline Pierce (20:47.1) rounded out the top five for Augusta.
South Carolina won the event, along with Wofford finishing in second. The Jags led all Division II schools at the meet.
“It was a great first opening meet,” said Ward. “If we fix some tactical stuff, the women will be really good and will have a shot trying for the conference championship, and we will see what happens from there.”
The Jaguars’ next meet is at the North Alabama Showcase in Huntsville, Ala., on Friday, Sept. 17.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
Junior Mackenzie Taylor bests the field by over 30 seconds, continuing her undefeated streak. Pictured at the top are Juniors Kai Brickey and Hans Troyer working together en route to finishing first and second at the Eye Opener Invitational. (photos by Madison Tapp, special to the Bell Ringer)
