Louisville, Ky. — The Union University men’s cross-country team set a school record at the Greater Louisville Classic on Oct. 3 with a team time of 1 hour, 36 minutes and 15 seconds on a cool morning at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park. Senior Addi Aguayo also continued her record-setting senior season, as she set another women’s school record with a 5k time of 17 minutes, 25 seconds.
The men’s team bested its previous record by 35 seconds, which was set at the Gulf South Conference championship last October. In Louisville, they finished 15th out of 24 teams in the Gold race, which included many Division I and top Division II teams and was won by West Texas A&M.
Senior Aaron Fynaardt led the way for the Bulldogs, posting a time of 24 minutes, 18 seconds, which was good for third on Union’s all-time list. Jonathan Lewis (25:10), Jeb Hamilton (25:25), Luke Winkleman (25:24) and Jude Sparkman (26:24) rounded out the top five.
“It’s always really special to be part of a team setting school records,” said Winkleman. “I think it shows how cross-country really can be a team sport and how we run for the guys next to us, not just ourselves. Focusing on the team goal rather than the individual really brings everyone together.”
On the women’s side, the Lady Bulldogs finished 17th out of 24 teams in the Gold race, which, like the men’s race, featured many elite Division I programs. West Texas A&M emerged victorious, with three runners in the top four. Union senior Aguayo finished just behind them in sixth place. Aguayo set her third school record during her time here at Union with a time of 17:25.
Rounding out the top five for the women’s team were Victoria Markham (18:14), Emma Madding (19:28), Elodie Weaver (19:40) and Ryan Harter (19:41).
Head Coach Tristan Kelly was incredibly proud of how his team performed this weekend.
“I think [the records] are just a testament to how they have worked so diligently,” Kelly said. “This is hands down the toughest year of training we’ve done. Those results weren’t a fluke; they were really well-earned. My hope is that the team takes these results going into Mississippi College and can continue to excel.”
Both teams will be back in action on Oct. 16 at the Choctaw Invitational in Clinton, Miss., in their final regular-season race of the season.
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