Final Results

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Facing an impressive collection of top-flight competition, the Christopher Newport cross country teams held their own as the women placed seventh and the men finished eighth during the Purple Valley Classic hosted by Williams College on Saturday afternoon.

On the women's side, CNU posted a score of 213 while competing against a field that featured three top-10 teams in the nation. The men went up against an equaling daunting slate with three opponents in the top-25, including a pair in the top-10. Overall, the CNU men finished with a score of 222.

No. 8 Middleburg eventually captured the title on the women's side with five runners finishing in the top-15. No. 5 MIT won the men's race bolstered by three top-five efforts.

In a field of 159 competitors, first-year standout Emmie Schmitt led the Captains after finishing 27th overall during the women's 6k. The Spotsylvania native completed the course in 23:47.9. Later, three of her teammates also collected top-50 efforts to round out a nice showing by CNU.

Jessica McClelland led the veteran contingent with a 36th-place showing after cruising to a time of 24:15.7. Sophomore Lydia Cromwell and freshman Briana Stewart were closely grouped in 48th and 49th, respectively. Cromwell notched a time of 24:52.0, while Stewart was only two seconds back.

Just missing out on a top-50 effort, Julie Machamer placed 53rd overall, while Deanna Corts and Allison McNulla crossed in 55th and 58th.

Facing a field of 151 participants, three men claimed top-50 spots and two more just fell short during a well-rounded effort. Andrew Benfer led the way while finishing 33rd overall. The freshman standout covered the 8k course in 27:38.2. Samuel Martin and JJ LaPointe were close on his heels, placing 42nd and 44th, respectively. Martin eventually finished in 27:52.3, while LaPointe was just three seconds behind.

In addition to the top-50 finishers, Aaron Zook and Billy Rabil also looked strong on Saturday. The two Captains finished in a tight bunch as Zook crossed in 51st with a time of 28:10.4, while Rabil came across next less than six seconds behind his teammate.

Rounding out Christopher Newport's performers, Bradley Turner finished 62nd in the field, while Eyasu Yirdaw was 64th.

CNU will return to action on November 12 when the program hosts the Captain Chris Invitational at Lee Hall Mansion.

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