HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Clinching her third career ticket to NCAA Cross Country Championships behind a gutsy Friday morning performance at the NCAA South Regional, Auburn senior Joyce Kimeli matched Angela Holman (2003-2005) as the only athlete in program history, male or female, to accomplish the feat.
"Joyce ran a tough race," Tigers cross country coach Aaron Kindt said. "It was a battle of who wanted it the most. She did a great job of fighting and pushing hard to make it happen for herself today. I am very excited for her and proud of all the hard work she has put in these last two months."
The team's season came to a finish as the women and men finished 10th and 14th, respectively. With only a handful of the Tigers' 13 runners having prior regionals experience, five still left the meet with career best performances.
Once again leading the way for the women Kimeli. Finishing fourth with a time of 19:49.44, she garnered the third USTFCCCA All-Region honor of her career in her fastest 6k performance of the season. Following Kimeli were senior Presley Weems (21:35.13) and sophomore Samantha Rogers (21:40.52). Rogers' time was the fastest amongst her six career 6k races.
Also coming in clutch for the Tigers was freshman Hallie Portfield in her best race of the year (22:03.96), obliterating her prior best by over a minute and ten seconds.
Wrapping up the women's finishers were junior Sara Pacer (22:12.26), freshman Hannah Thuss, with a PR of 22:22.57 and senior Louisa McPherson (22:54.42).
The average pace for the Auburn women was 21:42.62.
For the Auburn men, it was Ryan Kinnane once again leading the way as the sophomore has stepped up late to lead the team in four of its last five races. In his first career 10k, he clocked a 30:33.15, good for 23rd place and a spot on the All-Region squad.
Also stepping up in a huge way in their first career 10k races were underclassmen Carson Bedics (31:42.73) and Cooper Atkins (31:50.67), both having two of their best meets of the season.
Seniors Tommy McDonough (31:55.58) and Jackson Thomas (31:56.52) also finished inside the top 100 to notch the team's final points of the meet. Freshman Mark Foster wrapped things up for the men with a time of 33:51.65.
The men's average pace was 31:58.38.
Up Next
The team takes a winter hiatus as indoor track season is slated to begin in January at the Vanderbilt Invitational. Kimeli's cross country season still has life, however, as she will make the trip to Tallahassee, Florida to race as an individual competitor in the NCAA Cross Country Championship on Saturday, Nov. 20th.
2021 NCAA South Regional
John Hunt Cross Country Course
Huntsville, Ala.
Women's Results (6k)
10. Auburn, 309 points
Auburn Individual Results
4. Joyce Kimeli, 19:49:44
65. Presley Weems, 21:35.13
66. Samantha Rogers, 21:40.52
89. Hallie Porterfield, 22:03.96
95. Sara Pacer, 22:12.26
105. Hannah Thuss, 22:22.57
140. Louisa McPherson, 22:54.42
Men's Results (10k)
14. Auburn, 329 points
Auburn Individual Results
23. Ryan Kinnane, 30:33.15
67. Carson Bedics, 31:42.73
76. Cooper Atkins, 31:50.67
81. Tommy McDonough, 31:55.58
82. Jackson Thomas, 31:56.52
136. Mark Foster, 33:51.65
