Austin Peay Lady Govs Cross County place Third at Powerade Invitational with Three Top Ten Finishers

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Women’s Cross Country

Chattanooga, TN – Led by three top-10 finishers, Austin Peay State University women’s cross country team put together a strong showing at Friday’s Powerade Invitational, hosted by Chattanooga. The Lady Govs finished third out of seven teams.

Junior Xiamar Richards led the Lady Govs with a sixth-place, 12:22.97 finish in the two-mile event. It was Richards second top-40 run in as many meets this season and her sixth career top-10. Her previous top-10 finish was at last season’s Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championships.

Senior Chantelle Grey (seventh, 12:25.47) and junior Kendra Kirksey (ninth, 12:27.03) each picked up a top-10 finish for the first time this season. It was Kirksey’s third career top-10, and the second for Grey.

Junior Miranda Weed (20th, 13:17.59) and freshman Alexis Eldrige (26th, 13:37.72) rounded out the scoring for the Lady Govs. Senior Alyssa Molnar (31st, 14:05.44) also competed.

“Our top three finishers today are now second, third and fourth all-time in school history in the two-mile run,” said head coach Doug Molnar. “Weed’s mark also puts her into the top-20.”

The Lady Govs earned 68 points as a team, finishing behind host Chattanooga (49 points) and Middle Tennessee (62). Austin Peay defeated OVC foes Tennessee Martin (81 points) and Tennessee State (195).

“The women got out harder today,” Molnar said. “We were much more aggressive early in the race and it showed in the final standings.”

Austin Peay will take two weeks off before the next scheduled meet, at the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic, on September 29th.