","thumbnailUrl":null,"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics","jobTitle":null},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics","url":"https://erauathletics.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://erauathletics.com/images/logos/site/site.png","width":50,"height":50}},"about":null,"speakable":{"type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["article-content","article-headline"]}} Kirwa Wins First Race of 2012, Eagles Finish Third in Season Opener - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

evans kirwa naia nationals

Kirwa Wins First Race of 2012, Eagles Finish Third in Season Opener

| By: Ryan Mosher
Senior Evans Kirwa won his 13th individual meet title as an Eagle on Friday night, winning by more than 38 seconds.



TAMPA, Fla. - The NAIA No. 21 Embry-Riddle men's cross country team kicked off their 2012 season at the USF Invitational on Friday evening, matching their highest-ever finish of third at the event. Senior Evans Kirwa won the meet, his 13th individual meet title as an Eagle, blowing away the rest of the field by 38 seconds.

The Eagles tallied 79 team points, just four behind second-place Nova Southeastern (NCAA II), while Florida A&M (NCAA I) claimed the team title with 59 points.

Kirwa's time of 25:45.07 outpaced Florida A&M's Elias Chesire (26:23.26), giving the Eldoret, Kenya native his second straight USF Invitational individual crown.

"It's always good to get that first race under our belts," Head Coach Mike Rosolino stated. "Tonight's race let us see where we are at, even though the course was really muddy and slow."

Two inches of rain on Thursday dampened the Bulls' home course, causing slow times across the board.

"It was a challenging night for us," said Rosolino. "The mud and heat were a tough combination. It wasn't our best season opener, but it was a solid effort all around."

Sophomore Alec Hernandez finished second for the Eagles in 11th overall, running to a time of 27:49.99, followed by Zachary Kraus's 28:09.36 in 18th. Jason Riggs and Jacob Dordick went 26th and 27th with a 28:33.75 and 28:33.90 respectively, rounding out the Eagle scorers.

Jamin Mays (29:16.72), Ryan Larson (29:20.09), Mallory Jackson (30:58.21), Palmer Lintz (31:07.83), Dalton L'Heureux (31:55.39) and Trey Williams (38:47.38) also competed for Embry-Riddle; it was the collegiate debuts of Mays, Larson, Lintz and Williams.

"The gap we had between our second and fifth runners was very small," Rosolino mentioned. "It was good to see guys step up while we were missing a couple of our top runners."

The Blue and Gold topped four NCAA I teams and a pair of NCAA II squads at the meet.

Embry-Riddle travels to Gainseville, Fla. to participate in the Mountain Dew Invitational hosted by the University of Florida next Saturday, Sept. 15.

Results
USF Bulls Invitational
Eagle Team Finish Points Total Teams
3rd (highest ever) 79 9
Individual Eagles Finish Time
Evans Kirwa* 1st 25:45.07
Alec Hernandez* 11th 27:49.99
Zachary Kraus* 18th 28:09.36
Jason Riggs* 26th 28:33.75
Jacob Dordick* 27th 28:33.90
Jamin Mays 40th 29:16.72
Ryan Larson 43rd 29:20.09
Mallory Jackson 51st 30:58.21
Palmer Lintz 52nd 31:07.83
Dalton L'Heureux 58th 31:55.39
Trey Williams 70th 38:47.38
*Scorers


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