East Michigan News

Eastern Michigan University’s men's and women's cross country teams began their 2024 season with strong performances at the Jeff Drenth Memorial, hosted by Central Michigan University at Shepherd High School in Shepherd, Michigan on August 30.

The men's team secured first place with a total of 31 points, while the women's team achieved second place with 45 points. Eight schools participated in the meet: Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Concordia University, Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, Cornerstone University, Grace Christian University, and Alma College.

In the men’s race featuring 101 athletes, four Eastern Michigan runners finished in the top five. Sam Peterson (Charlevoix, Mich./Charlevoix) placed third with a time of 14:56.9. Lachlan Cornelius (Queensland, Brisbane, Australia/Anglican Church Grammar School) followed in fourth at 14:58.4 and Ty Dailey (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) came fifth at 14:59.6. Ronan Codyre (Auckland, New Zealand/Macleans College) secured sixth place clocking in at 15:16.9. Joey Furlong (Deer Park, Ill./Barrington) completed the scoring for Eastern Michigan by placing nineteenth with a time of 15:45.2.

On the women’s side with a field of 112 harriers, three Eastern Michigan athletes finished within the top ten. Marta Moreno (Wassenaar, Netherlands/American School of The Hague) took second place finishing at 17:36.8. Lucy Jones (Haverhill, England/Normanhurst School) placed fifth at 18:11.5 and Anita Zaro (Timișoara, Romania/Faculty of Physical Education and Sport) was eighth with a time of 18:20.5.

In their first collegiate race appearances for Eastern Michigan were Cora Henderson (Courtice, Ontario/Courtice Secondary), who placed twelfth at 18:34.2 and Liv Hatch (Valparaiso Ind./Valparaiso), who slotted thirteenth at 18:41.3.

Overall results saw seven Eastern men breaking the sixteen-minute mark while seven women broke nineteen minutes in their respective races.

Women's Team Results:

1st - Central Michigan – 27 Points

2nd - Eastern Michigan – 38 Points

3rd - Michigan State – 73 Points

4th - Cornerstone – 121 Points 

5th - Lansing CC – 166 Points

6th - Alma – 166 Points

Men's Team Results:

1st - Eastern Michigan – 31 Points

2nd - Central Michigan – 55 Points

3rd - Michigan State – 62 Points 

4th - Lansing CC – 102 Points

5th - Cornerstone – 110 Points

6th - Alma – 190 Points

The next competition for both teams is scheduled for September 20 when they will compete in the George Dales Invitational hosted by Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

For updates on EMU cross country/track & field events and results follow EMUEagles.com or connect on Instagram and Facebook @EMUXC_TF.