Cross Country Opens With Wins At Charlotte

Friday, September 3

Charlotte, N.C.

9:45 AM

North Carolina

Charlotte Opener

Sasha Neglia (center) edged teammates Kelsey Harrington (left) and Paige Hofstad at Friday's finish.

Photo by: Tom Connelly

September 3, 2021 | Cross Country

CONCORD, N.C. – The UNC men and women both took firsts Friday morning in a season-opening cross country matchup with Charlotte at Frank Liske Park. Racing on a 5K course for the Charlotte Opener, the Tar Heels took four of the top five individual spots in each race.

The men beat Charlotte 23-32 and the women 17-42.

In the women's race, sophomore Sasha Neglia crossed first in 17:10.0, leading a Tar Heel dash to the finish. Behind her by less than a second were classmate Kelsey Harrington in 17:10.4 and fifth-year senior Paige Hofstad in 17:10.8. Sophomore Natalie Tyner was fourth in 17:24.8 to give UNC a sweep of the top four spots.

On the men's side, sophomore Patrick Anderson led the way, taking second overall in a time of 14:50.1. He was the first of four consecutive Tar Heels to cross the finish, just ahead of Will Coogan (3^rd in 14:51.0), Jack Aho (4^th in 14:53.2 in his UNC debut) and John Tatter (5^th in 14:54.5).

The Tar Heels are back in action in two weeks, running at the Adidas XC Challenge on Sept. 17. The meet will be hosted by NC State in Cary, N.C.

CHARLOTTE OPENER
Frank Liske Park in Concord, N.C. • 5K Course
UNC Men
2. Patrick Anderson, 14:50.1
3. Will Coogan, 14:51.0
4. Jack Aho, 14:53.2
5. John Tatter, 14:54.5
9. Marshall Williamson, 15:06.8
14. Michael Spragley, 15:35.5
19. Tommy Gaffey, 15:53.3
22. Andrew Lauer, 16:01.8
23. John Gove, 16:03.6
25. Kyle Reinheimer, 16:17.3
27. Jason Thomson, 16:36.8

UNC Women
1. Sasha Neglia, 17:10.0
2. Kelsey Harrington, 17:10.4
3. Paige Hofstad, 17:10.8
4. Natalie Tyner, 17:24.8
7. Taryn Parks, 17:56.5
9. Emmeline Fisher, 18:12.0
10. Sarah Trainor, 18:19.5
13. Camryn Petit, 18.52.6
14. Makayla Paige, 18:54.3
21. Ella Auderset, 19:55.9