Tweet

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Tech hosted the Hokie Open Friday, its final contest before NCAA Regionals and Nationals. Against an intrasquad field, Joesph Murray and Stephanie Cario came away victorious in the men’s 6,000-meters and the women’s 4,000-meters, respectively.

Murray led the men’s field at 18:36.82. A group of Tech competitiors, competing unattached, finished in a group shortly thereafter, led by Devin Cornwall (2nd, 18:42.69), with Michael Hammond (3rd, 18:43.04), Will Mulherin (18:43.28) and Leoule Degfae (5th, 18:43.57) all finishing back-to-back. The Hokies’ three remaining attached competitors finished in seventh, eighth and ninth, respectivley, with Kevin Dowd in front (19:00.43), followed by Yazid Zouaimia (19:05.23) and Grant Pollock (19:21.74).

Four attached competitors for Tech swept the top four in the women’s 4k race, with Stephanie Cario leading the way at 14:42.93, almost ten seconds ahead of second place. Jackie Merrick crossed the line next at 14:50.01, followed by Marty Catherine Sowder (3rd, 15:33.16) and Erica Weidman (4th, 15:58.56). Samantha Sawyer (5th, 16:08.15) and Lindsay Skolrood (6th, 16:12.91), competing unattached, were next, followed by Tech’s final attached runner, Jennifer Van Der Sloot (7th, 16:53.40).

Next weekend, the Hokies travel to Louisville, Ky. for the NCAA Southeast Region Championships on Saturday, Nov. 13 with events set to start at 11 a.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech cross country, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Track).