For a second straight week several Covenant cross country runners set personal records as the teams competed in the Berry Invitational on Saturday in Rome, Ga. The women placed eighth in the 19-team field, while the men were 13th.
On the women's side, five of the seven runners set personal best times led by Lilly Smith's 6k time of 24:15. Smith's time put her in 22nd overall and is also the sixth-fastest time in program history at that distance.
Hannah Samuels finished in 45th overall with a personal best time of 25:06, while Margaret Fitch was 61st with her time of 25:45.
Anna Danek placed 94th with a new best time of 26:53, while Caroline Pepper was 96th as she completed the course in a personal record time of 26:57. Hannah Cotton also set a personal record time of 32:23 in the event.
Covenant finished eighth, ahead of USA South foes Maryville, Agnes Scott and LaGrange and also regional rival Sewanee. Division I member Florida A&M took the team title, while FAMU's Judith Kibii was the individual champion.
On the men's side, Micah Sneller posted an 8k time of 27:57 to finish in 65th overall and set a personal record in the distance. Caleb Keitt was Covenant's second finisher at 28:37, a personal best, to place 87th overall. Matthew Tueller also set a personal record with a time of 28:48, while Nathan Bierema finished in 29:26. Phil Carrenard rounded out the top five Scots with a personal record time of 30:14.
Charles Taylor (31:33) and Caleb McKillop (32:29) also set personal bests on the day.
The men finished 13th in the 19-team field that was won by Sewanee. The Scots finished better than USA South members Maryville and LaGrange. Young Harris' Timothy Asis was the individual winner.
Men's Results:
65th - Micah Sneller - 27:57 (PR)
87th - Caleb Keitt - 28:37 (PR)
91st - Matthew Tueller - 28:48 (PR)
104th - Nathan Bierema - 29:26
119th - Phil Carrenard - 30:14 (PR)
133rd - Phil Moore - 30:44
140th - Charles Taylor - 31:33 (PR)
142nd - Eliot Gardner - 31:43
153rd - Caleb McKillop - 32:29 (PR)
154th - Zach Atchison - 32:32
Women's Results:
22nd - Lilly Smith - 24:15 (PR)
45th - Hannah Samuels - 25:06 (PR)
61st - Margaret Fitch - 25:45
94th - Anna Danek - 26:53 (PR)
96th - Caroline Pepper - 26:57 (PR)
155th - Hannah Cotton - 32:23 (PR)
176th - Juliette Henry - 37:42
UP NEXT
Covenant will have next week off from competition before heading to the USA South Championships on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Tallulah Falls, Ga.