SALISBURY, Md. - - The Wilmington University men's cross country team remained red hot, winning another meet title as the Wildcats took top honors at the Don Cathcart Invitational hosted by Salisbury University, cruising to the finish line with 34 points, besting 14 teams while the women placed eighth of 13 teams on Saturday morning.
Senior Bill Steele earned his way back to the winners circle after a two week hiatus, running the 8k course in 25:31, beating the competition by three seconds. The Wildcats finished with three runners in the top 10, as Richie Mitten placed a season's best fourth place with a time 25:36. In his second run of the season, Mike O'Brian placed sixth overall in a time of 25:48.
The final two scorers for the men finished back-to-back as freshman Jesus Amezquita finished 11th overall in 26:18 and sophomore Matt Mossman placed 12th with a time of 26:29.
The men scored a low 34 points, running away with the win as Franklin & Marshall placed second overall with 71 points. Host Salisbury gained 72 points to finish third while Roanoke came in fourth with 152 points. Rounding out the top five was Mansfield with 163 points.
On the women's 6k course, sophomore standout Althea Davidson continued to dominate through 2012, finishing second overall with a time of 21:55. The Lady Wildcat runners placed two inside the top 10, as junior Jeanette Halliburton continued her strong campaign, adding a ninth place finish in 23:02 on Saturday.
Junior Whitney Hora earned 32 points with her run, finishing in 24:27 while freshman Morgan Ferrick picked up 57 points with a time of 26:17. Rounding out the five scorers for the Wildcat was senior Kristy McCrea with 81 points in a time of 30:48.
The women placed eighth out of 13 teams overall, but was only one of three schools to get two runners in the top 10. Host Salisbury won the women's event, earning 84 points while Mansfield placed second one point behind the leaders. Nyack finished third with 96 points, Roanoke picked up 100 points for fourth place and Virginia Wesleyan finished fifth with 113 points.
The Wildcats return to Carousel Park for their final regular season meet of the year, as they will run in the Goldey-Beacom Fall Classic on their home course on Friday, October 5. The women begin their run at 5 p.m. while the men's race starts at 5:35 p.m.