by Kevin Buczek
WILMINGTON, N.C.-Strong runs by junior Austin Edmonds and freshman Yacine Gharbi led the Barton College men's cross country team to a fifth place finish out of seven teams in the non-Division I portion of the Seahawk Invitational hosted by UNC Wilmington on Friday.
Edmonds broke the 17-minute barrier in a 5-kilometer collegiate race for the first time at Barton with a personal record (PR) time of 16:48.44. Edmonds earned a top-10 finish out of 64 runners in eighth place. The Sandy Ridge, N.C., product was the 27th harrier to cross to complete the race around the UNC Wilmington Recreation Facility counting the D-I runners.
Gharbi made an impressive collegiate debut in 11th place with a 5k benchmark time of 17:05.63.
Edmonds and Gharbi helped the Bulldogs defeat St. Andrews University and Shaw University with 112 points. Barton did not race juniors Daniel Strutton or Stephen Applewhite due to injury. UNC Pembroke held off Guilford College for the team title despite the Quakers having the top-three times. Campbell University on the Division I title.
Three other Bulldog freshmen followed Gharbi to the finish line to complete the Bulldogs scoring runners. Luar Mercado Lopez clocked in at 18:16.07 (26th), Tyler Amerson took 18:38.20 (33rd) and Adam Pope finished in 18:56.99 (41st) in their first race representing the Royal Blue and White. Also competing for Barton was seniors John Aranda (19:36.17) and Anthony Nelson (20:36.94).
Barton will host the inaugural Bulldog Cross Country Invitational at J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex on Friday. The men's 8k race will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Seahawk Invitational (Men's Division II/III 5k Results)
112 - Barton (5th/7)
16:48.44 – Austin Edmonds (8th/64)
17:05.63 – Yacine Gharbi (11th)
18:16.07 – Luar Lopez (26th)
18:38.20 – Tyler Amerson (33rd)
18:56.99 – Adam Pope (41st)
19:36.17 – John Aranda (47th)
20:36.94 – Anthony Nelson (55th)
