Youngstown State University
Coast to Coast Battle in Beantown Invitational
Christopher Breaks 8k Record on National Stage
9/23/2022 1:59:00 PM | Cross Country
Boston, Mass - Hunter Christopher's school-record time of 24:13 in the men's 8k highlighted the Youngstown State men's and women's cross country program's impressive showing at the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown Invitational on Friday at Franklin Park.
"These incredible guys, Coach Rupe, and our incredible YSU staff have been working 3 years for this national stage performance and are blessed to be part of the journey," head coach Brian Gorby said. "Amazing by Hunter and Chase to beat so many in a national field and set records on a challenging cross country course with wind in opening races."
Christopher finished 11th out of a loaded field of 126 runners in his record-breaking performance. Senior Chase Easterling also finished ahead of the previous school-record time. He clocked a 24:26 in his 15th place finish. Ryan Meadows was the next Penguin to cross the line at 38th, running a 25:03, the eighth-fastest time in school history. Almost the entire team finished with personal-best times.
The men's team finished fifth with 164 points out of a field of 15 teams with several national and regional rankings including Dartmouth (#7-Northeast), Santa Clara (#8-West), Bucknell (#9 Mid-Atlantic), Boston University (#10-Northeast), Yale (#11 Northeast), and Northeastern (#12 Northeast).
Senior Morgan Cole highlighted the Penguins finish in the women's 5k at the race. She finished 18th out of 163 runners, clocking a 17:48. Senior Mackenzie Scott was the second Penguin to cross the line in 74th place with a time of 18:50. Overall the women finished 15th with 394 points.
The Penguins will return to action on Friday, Sept. 30, at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind.
For live updates and results throughout the 2022 season, follow @YSUTrackFieldXC on Twitter.
