Poole, Britt Lead Mocs at NCAA Region Race

Friday, November 9

Tallahassee, Fla.

8:30 a.m.

Chattanooga

NCAA South Region Championships

Men's Results Women's Results

11/9/2018 9:49:00 PM | Cross Country & Track & Field

Men's 10K Results Women's 6K Results

By: Anne Wehunt

POOLE, BRITT LEADS MOCS AT NCAA SOUTH REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's and women's cross country teams closed out the 2018 season Friday morning at the NCAA South Region Championships. The women finished tied with Samford for 15^th in the region while the men held on for 21^st.

Senior Emily Poole, in her last meet, led Chattanooga to the finish at 44^th overall with a time of 21:35.9 and Makenzie Jones was just a few paces behind at 56 with a time of 21:47.6.

"We are very happy with our race today," Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer said. "Emily and Makenzie beat girls who'd beat them at conference two weeks ago."

Kennedy Thomson was the Mocs' third finisher with a time of 22:56.1 and Nicole Buehrle clocked in at 23:31.9. Sophomore Sophia Neglia was Chattanooga's final scoring runner with a time of 23:39.6. Hannah Caldwell finished with a time of 23:57.2.

Poole and fellow senior Brianna Nelson ran their final meet for the Mocs. Nelson covered the six-kilometer course in a time of 24:07.9.

"Emily and Bri [Nelson] closed out their careers in fine fashion and will be missed greatly," Meyer said. "Our team definitely raced to the best of their ability today and every time they toed the line this season.

"This team has steadily improved our region placing over the last three years and with five of our seven back, we look for that trend to continue."

The women finished tied with Samford for 15^th with 461 points. Florida State took first with 60 points ahead of instate foe Florida who was second with 64 points.

Seminole Militsa Mircheva paced the run with a time of 20:16.9 and Florida's Jessica Pascoe was second at 20:23.6.

Senior Mark Britt led the Mocs to a 21^st place finish placing 99^th overall with a time of 34:01.8. Fellow senior Nathan Watson was just behind him with a time of 34:36.0, placing 112^th. Freshman Jonathan Boyd continued his strong pace this season finishing third for the Mocs with a time of 35:05.7 at 119.

"Mark Britt ran a great final cross country race, as did Micah [Sneller]," Meyer said. "Nathan and Jonathan ran inspired as well."

Freshman Ryan Phillips was the fourth Chattanooga runner across the line with a time of 36:15.8 and Micah Sneller rounded out the scoring for the Mocs at 36:58.3. Josh Topham covered the 10K course at 39:49.7 to round out UTC's day at the region.

"We will miss Mark's leadership and his tenacity and Micah's dedication," Meyer said. "This bunch of guys who have not been the most talented, have been outstanding in their passion to improve and their commitment to hard work.

"The willingness to compete in the face of adversity is a testament to these young men and their character."

Ole Miss took first in the meet with 45 points followed by Florida State with 92 and Tennessee was third with 108 points. Alabama's Alfred Chelanga was the overall champion with a time of 30:59.2 and Tennessee's Zach Long came on at the end to finish second.

"[Assistant coach] Amanda [Cotter] and I loved working with this bunch of guys," Meyer said. "And we could not be prouder of our group of ladies."