September 18, 2010

Results
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LUMBERTON, N.C.—The senior tandem of James Walls (Bear Creek, N.C.) and Josh Pickett (Asheville, N.C.) both posted top-10 finishes as the St. Andrews Presbyterian College men’s cross country team secured second place at the 39th Annual UNC Pembroke Invitational Saturday.

The St. Andrews men's cross country team was awarded the second place trophy at the UNCP Invite on Saturday. PICTURED STANDING (left to right): Caleb Mitcler, Tommy Wilson, James Walls, Doug Holt. KNEELING DOWN: Josh Pickett

SAPC competed as a team for the first time this season and quickly opened eyes by earning the runner-up trophy at the UNCP Invite. The Knights scored 58 points and defeated local rivals Methodist University, Fayetteville State University, and Coker College. The host Braves, who are ranked sixth in the Southeast Region, acquired the team crown with 22 points.

As the reigning Conference Carolinas Runner of the Week, Walls continued his dominating running at the Luther Britt Park. Walls quickly traversed the 8,000-meter endurance race in 27 minutes and 35 seconds to place third overall.

Walls was less than a minute off the individual medalists pace en route to his highest collegiate finish, which was just eight seconds off his 8k personal record time.

Pickett provided SAPC with a strong second scoring harrier, capturing ninth overall out of 29 entrants with a blazing time of 29:29. Pickett’s high finish was his third collegiate top-10 outcome.

Seniors Tommy Wilson (Salisbury, N.C.) and Doug Holt (Haddonfield, N.J.) followed in 13th and 16th place, respectively. Wilson toured the five miles in 30:47 while Holt clocked a time of 31:47 in his first race of 2010.

Freshman Caleb Mitcler (Green Mountain, N.C.) gutted out a time of 36:25.98 to give SAPC a team score even though he is battling a leg injury.

St. Andrews earned either first or second place hardware in its last four appearances in the UNC Pembroke Invitational (2010, 2008, 2005, and 2004).

The Royal Blue and White will next compete in the 2010 Hagan Stone Cross Country Classic hosted by the Greensboro Pacesetters on Saturday, October 2. The men’s 8k race is schedule to start at 9:30 a.m.

St. Andrews (8k, 29 runners)
3. James Walls (27:35.91)
9. Josh Pickett (29:29.36)
13. Tommy Wilson (30:47.48)
16. Doug Holt (31:47.41)
24. Caleb Mitcler (36:25.98)