Elon Cross Country Sweeps Dual Meet With UNCG

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s and women’s cross country programs opened its 2014 season on Saturday morning, Aug. 30, with a dual meet sweep versus local rival and former conference foe UNCG at the Elon Cross Country Course.

In their first meet under first-year Phoenix head cross country coach Nick Polk, the Elon men’s and women’s harriers cruised to 15-40 victories over the Spartans in the 5K races for both teams. Senior Jenny Gallagher took home individualist honors on the women’s side while freshman Sam Geha was the first to cross the line in the men’s race. Both team’s also did not race some of its top runners for the meet.

Gallagher clocked in a time of 18:26.87 in the race, just edging out teammate and fellow senior Tereza Novotna, who was second overall with a time of 18:27.09. Junior Kaitlin Snapp was next to follow for the maroon and gold in third, crossing the line at 18:37.64. Emily Dunne (19:03.65) and freshman Brigid Brennan (19:06.99) rounded out the top-five in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Geha beat out senior Adam Bernstein in the men’s race with his time of 16:20.85 while Bernstein was not far behind at 16:21.05. Another freshman, Dominic Vernazza, was third overall for the men with a time of 16:50.27, followed by Reed Payne (fourth, 16:54.45) and Carlos Andino (fifth, 16:59.87).

The Phoenix returns to action on Sept. 13, to host their second home meet of the season, the sixth annual Elon Invitational. That meet is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with the women’s 5K race followed by the men’s 8K run.