Mean Green Compete at American Championships

CONCORD, N.C. – The UNT cross country team competed on Saturday at the American Conference Championships on Saturday and both the men's and women's teams finished eighth in their respective races.

The Mean Green women, who have dealt with injury problems throughout the season, were led in the 6k by junior Aditi Silwal, who finished in a personal-best time of 21:22.0 to finish 27th. She was followed by senior London Culbreath, who finished 35th in 21:44.9, sophomore Ella Bengtsson, who finished 41st in personal-best time of 21:54.8, freshman Aubrey Milam, who finished 50th with a personal best of 22:07.9, and freshman Baylee Tapley finished 90th in a personal-best time of 24:22.4. Milam earned a spot on the All-Freshman team for her performance.

"I think this group of five ladies had a hell of a day," head cross country coach Erik Stevens said. "To be in the position that we have been in all season long with key positions out for the season or building back to get to this point in the year was an amazing day. They executed their race plan well, fought all the way through the race and continued to pick up bodies to put themselves in the right positions. I'm very proud of what that group accomplished today. Even though it says eighth place next to our team finish, we are definitely not an eighth-place team. For our true freshman, Aubrey, being able to put her self on the All-Freshman team today in a very tough conference, that was the icing on the cake for the women's group."

On the men's side, sophomore Joseph Wienen led the way with a 29th place finish in 24:39.8 in the 8k race. He was followed by sophomore Nolan House, who finished 34th in 24:49.7, sophomore Connor Bartek, who finished 59th in 25:40.6, sophomore Matthew Montgomery, who finished 68th in 26:06.4, and freshman Luke Anderson, who finished 74th in a personal-best time of 26:18.4 to round out the top five finishers for the Mean Green. Junior Alan Proenza (75th), sophomore Hunter Hendry (80th) and sophomore Aidan Shannon (84th) rounded out the Mean Green finishers.

"I think we thought, fairly well in certain positions, and took some risks for some guys," Stevens said. "Joseph ran strong, and was just slightly out of position to be able to get to that All-Conference spot. On this particular course, it was a little bit hard if you lost contact to be able to get there. Nolan had a very solid day closing that gap down on Joe and that was a big step in our process. We had a few guys - Hunter Hendry, Matt Montgomery, Aidan Shannon - put themselves in a good position early and take some risks, which was either going to pay off or potentially hurt late."

The Mean Green will continue postseason competition at the NCAA South Central Regional Nov. 14 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

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Players Mentioned

Luke Anderson

Connor Bartek

Ella Bengtsson

London Culbreath

Hunter Hendry

Nolan House

Aubrey Milam

Matthew Montgomery

Alan Proenza

Aidan Shannon

Aditi Silwal

Baylee Tapley

Joseph Wienen

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