by Benny Benton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Three Barton College runners set personal records for the 8K distance during the Royals Cross Country Challenge on Friday at McAlpine Creek Park.
Junior Joel Lagat finished 29th overall among 300 runners in the Open Division with a new PR time of 25:34.4, which was 13 seconds faster than his mark in the same race a year ago.
Senior Adam Pope posted a new career best with his time of 28:51.8, which earned 215th place. His previous 8K low had been 29:19.1, which he posted as a freshman in the 2013 Conference Carolinas Championships. Junior transfer Tevin Aitken also claimed a new PR while finishing 220th with a mark of 28:59.1. His previous best had been 29:17.8, which he recorded in the 2015 Osprey Open while competing for Monroe College.
Completing the Barton scoring were junior Sebaston Barrett, who was 263rd with a time of 30:48.8, and senior Luar Mercado Lopez, who was 275th following a mark of 31:45.8. Junior Cody Warner, competing in his first cross country event since 2014, placed 286th with a time of 33:47.8.
As a team, Barton placed 29th of 32 programs in the Open Division. However, the Bulldogs did defeat two Conference Carolinas schools, Limestone College and Belmont Abbey College.
Lee University placed four runners among the top 10 to lead the way, edging second-place University of Mount Olive by 10 points. Mars Hill University was a distant third.
The meet was the final competition for the Bulldogs before the 2016 Conference Carolinas Championships, which will take place on October 21 at Frank J. Liske Park in Concord, N.C.
Royals Cross Country Challenge
Barton (29th of 32; 300 individuals)
29. Joel Lagat, 25:34.4 (PR)
215. Adam Pope, 28:51.8 (PR)
220. Tevin Aitken, 28:59.1 (PR)
263. Sebaston Barrett, 30:48.8
275. Luar Mercado-Lopez, 31:45.8
286. Cody Warner, 33:47.8
