HPU Men Finish as Runner Up at 2021 Big South Cross Country Championships
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — The High Point University men’s cross-country team finished 2nd with a team score of 50 at the 2021 Big South Cross-Country Championship. For the third consecutive season, Hocine Bouchrak finished third with a time of 24:26. Bouchrak earned Big South First Team All-Conference honors while Rayan Vanderpooten and Hunter Steinau earned Big South Second Team All-Conference honors.
Panther Particulars
Bouchrak led the way for HPU finishing third with a time of 24:26 improving upon his time last time out at the VertCross of 24:54.7. Bouchrak was able to hold in his third position for the duration of the race turning in yet another impressive performance this season.
The second HPU finisher placed eighth and that was Smucker who finished with a time of 25:05.4. Smucker was able to improve from 14th at the 1K split to an eighth-place finish.
Vanderpooten made quite the first impression in his debut as a Panther posting a top 10 finish in the conference championship race. Vanderpooten finished with a time of 25:26.9.
Steinau was the last Panther to earn All-Big South honors finishing with a time of 25:36.8 placing 14th. Austen Cave finished right behind him in 15th with a time of 25:40.9.
Ian Miller rounded out the top twenty place 19th his time was 25:52.3.
The Panthers scorers finished (3-8-10-14-15) for a total of 50.
Up Next
HPU prepares for the NCAA Southeast regionals now in Louisville, Ky on Friday, Nov 12th which will be at the same site as the Live in Lou Classic which the Panthers competed in back on October 2nd.
5 PEAT; Women Panthers Use Gutsy Last 1K to Clinch 8th Big South Title and 5th Straight
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — The High Point University women’s cross-country team won its fifth consecutive Big South title and eighth overall with a clutch team performance in the last kilometer. At the 4K split Radford led by one point. HPU stormed back to win the race with a score of 50 compared to runner-up Radford who recorded 55 points. finished 2nd with a team score of 50 at the 2021 Big South Cross-Country Championship. Lindsey Ickes led the way for HPU with a fourth-place finish with a time of 17:56. Ickes and Sydney Bagus earned Big South First Team All-Conference honors while Camryn Harper and Olive Allen earned Big South Second Team honors.
Remy Tamer: This was unquestionably the greatest cross-country competition that I have ever been a part of. It was all in part of our women that we have on this team and the championship culture that they have created over the past six years. This was the first year we were the underdogs, they (Radford) were a better team on paper and we know races are not run on paper. I said this earlier this year, the beautiful thing about our sport is there are no rankings, there is no speculation, everyone shows up rain or shine, hot or cold and whoever is the best at that moment comes out on top. It does not matter who the best team was on paper these ladies from High Point showed up and they were absolutely on fire today. It was inspiring as a coach. This is the kind of performance you see from a group that they make Disney movies about. This gives me fuel for my career for sure…these ladies will never forget this.
Panther Particulars
Ickes earned Big South First Team All-Conference honors with a time of 17:56 and placed fourth. Bagus joined Ickes on the All-Big South First Team with a time of 18:19.
Harper made a big move after the 2K split moving from 15th to her eventual ninth-place finish providing a critical swing in team points for the Purple & White. Harper posted a time of 18:24.4.
Allen received the final All-Big South team spot placing 14th with an 18:32.1 time. Tatum Castillo, Katie Taylor, nd Franzi Jakobs put the finishing touches on the fifth straight Big South Title for the Panthers as Castillo finished 16th, Taylor 18th, and Jakobs 19th moving two Highlanders out of position securing the Big South Championship win.
The Panthers scorers finished (4-7-9-14-16) for a total of 50 en route to HPU’s eighth Big South title.
Up Next
HPU prepares for the NCAA Southeast regionals now in Louisville, Ky on Friday, Nov 12th which will be at the same site as the Live in Lou Classic which the Panthers competed in back on October 2nd.