North Carolina
UM Roy Griak Invitational
Women 3rd, Men 9th at Roy Griak Invitational
September 27, 2014 | Cross Country
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. -- The University of North Carolina cross country teams competed at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota where both teams finished in the top-10 overall. The women's team, led by Lianne Farber, finished third overall with 174 points. The men's team took ninth with 302 points and a solid performance from senior John Raneri.
"Today was an
extremely competitive race in some of the most trying conditions I've ever
seen," head coach Mark VanAlstyne. "I'm very proud of those who left everything
out on the course and I know those who struggled will use it as motivation to
be better next time."
"The
men are very disappointed because we know we are capable of so very much more
and we let a big opportunity slip by us. Going forward I know it's going to
make us stronger but it's painful right now.
"Our
women had a pretty good day overall and it was nice to beat some teams that
were ranked higher than us, but deep down, the ladies know they can be better,
too."
The women's team finished ahead of four ranked teams: No. 11 Butler, No. 20 Boise State, No. 22 Vanderbilt and No. 28 Minnesota. Lianne Farber and Annie LeHardy had top-15 finishes taking 10th and 13th respectively. Farber timed in at 21:31 while LeHardy finished six seconds later. Both women competed for the first time this year in this event. Newcomer Caroline Alcorta finished third for the Tar Heels and 29th overall at 22:06. Lizzy Whelan and Karley Rempel rounded out the top five with finishes at 60th and 62nd respectively. Whelan crossed the finish line at 22:33 and Rempel not far behind at 22:35.
John Raneri finished as the top male Tar Heel at the meet timing in at 25:15 and good for 11th. Stephen Mulherin finished in 48th at 25:55. Scott Morgan, Ryan Walling and Mitch McLeod finished 71st, 80th and 92nd respectively and all below 26:30 top finish the top five Tar Heels.
The teams will have three weeks to prepare for the University of Wisconsin Invite, which could be the most competitive meet the Tar Heels have this regular season.
North Carolina Results
Women
Lianne Farber, 10th, 21:31
Annie LeHardy, 13th, 21:37
Caroline Alcorta, 29th, 22:06
Lizzy Whelan, 60th, 22:33
Karley Rempel, 62nd, 22:35
Josette Norris, 89th, 23:04
Hannah Christen, 127th, 23:36
Men
John Raneri, 11th, 25:15
Stephen Mulherin, 48th, 25:55
Scott Morgan, 71st, 26:13
Ryan Walling, 80th, 26:18
Mitch McLeod, 92nd, 26:25
Mark Derrick, 98th, 26:30
Matt Valeriani, 154th, 27:19
Players Mentioned
