Moran Crowned Champion at Big South Finale

by Radford University Athletics

Radford, VA (11/01/2021) — Moran Crowned Champion at Big South Finale

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. - Hannah Moran became the first Radford Cross Country runner to win a Big South Individual Championship since 1993 - and first woman since 1990 - Friday at the Big South Cross Country Championship at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex. The Highlander women finished in second place as a team, just five points behind High Point; the men's group took home a strong sixth place down two key runners.

Moran would not be denied on the day, getting a tough challenge from Campbell's Docus Ewoi before ultimately pulling away in the late stages for a nine second victory.

Joining Moran, Rachel Werking (8th), Rachel Millirons (11th) and Chloe Wellings (15th) all took home All-Conference medals for the achievements on the day. MacKenzie Gardner took the fifth position for the Highlanders with her 20th place finish, followed closely by Savannah Hoff in 21st. MegAnne Gilmore rounded out the scoring for Radford in 24th.

As a team, the Highlander women narrowly missed a team title but instead take home an impressive second-consecutive runner-up trophy.

The women also placed three runners in the top 10 in the race for the second season in a row. This marks the first time since 1986 and 1987 that this feat has been accomplished by the Highlander women in consecutive seasons - those '86 and '87 teams both won the team title, a testament to the competitiveness of the conference and this Highlander crew.

For his efforts, and the marvelous accomplishments of the Highlander women in his fourth season at Radford, Sam Bradley was named Big South Women's Coach of the Year for the second season in a row. This is the first time ever that a Radford coach has accomplished this feat.

On the men's side, Nate Jennings led the way with a strong Second-Team All-Conference performance, finishing 11th overall with a time of 25:32.7. Despite being down two key runners, the Radford men clawed their way into a strong sixth place team finish.

Joshua Daggett followed close behind Jennings finishing just off of the All-Conference team with his 16th place finish, an improvement of 11 places from his finish in the spring edition of the meet.

Luke Richards (32nd), Joe Limo (42nd), Hayat Khan (55th), Adam Downs (66th) and Nick McCumsey (76th) rounded out the scoring for the Highlander men on the day.

At the conclusion of the meet, the Big South also announced it's annual awards in which Rachel Millirons and Sam Sikora were rewarded for their accomplishments in the classroom with Big South All-Academic Honors. Below is a list of all Big South Postseason Awards:

MEN

Individual Champion
Athanas Kioko, Campbell

Freshman of the Year
Logan Patete, USC Upstate

Coach of the Year
Jim Stintzi, Charleston Southern

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Jared Keklak, USC Upstate

All-Conference (Top 14 Finishers)

First-Team
Athanas Kioko, Campbell
Fearghal Curtin, Charleston Southern
Hocine Bouchrak, High Point
Alan Deogracias, Charleston Southern
Micah Gilpatric, Charleston Southern
Jaymee Domoney, Charleston Southern
Gavin Kuhlenbeck, Charleston Southern

Second-Team
Spencer Smucker, High Point
Jaden Kingsley, Charleston Southern
Rayan Vanderpoorten, High Point
Nate Jennings, Radford
John Ciprich, UNC Asheville
Morris Kimble, North Carolina A&T
Hunter Steinau, High Point

All-Academic Team
Rievan Lombard, Campbell
Alan Deogracias, Charleston Southern
Patrick Sastre, Gardner-Webb
Dugion Blackman, Hampton
Hocine Bouchrak, High Point
Nicholas Howell, Longwood
Morris Kimble, North Carolina A&T
William Johnson, Presbyterian College
Sam Sikora, Radford
Nathaniel Edwards, UNC Asheville
Jared Keklak, USC Upstate
Austin Spencer, Winthrop

WOMEN

Individual Champion
Hannah Moran, Radford

Freshman of the Year
Maddie Wheatly, Charleston Southern

Coach of the Year
Sam Bradley, Radford

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Taylor Barnes, Charleston Southern

All-Conference Team (Top 14 Finishers)

First-Team

Hannah Moran, Radford
Dorcus Ewoi, Campbell
Lesego Mpshe, Campbell
Lindsey Ickes, High Point
Clara Wincheski, UNC Asheville
Caroline Inman, Charleston Southern
Sydney Bagus, High Point

Second-Team

Rachel Werking, Radford
Camryn Harper, High Point
Taylor Barnes, Charleston Southern
Rachel Millirons, Radford
Anne Akagi, Charleston Southern
Maddie Wheatly, Charleston Southern
Olive Allen, High Point

All-Academic Team

Lesego Mpshe, Campbell
Taylor Barnes, Charleston Southern
Ashley Eavenson, Gardner-Webb
Zuri Rashad, Hampton
Lindsey Ickes, High Point
Caroline Fairbanks, Longwood
Lili Jaraczewski, Presbyterian College
Rachel Millirons, Radford
India Appleton, UNC Asheville
Laura Yarborough, USC Upstate
Olivia Esselman, Winthrop

Radford University is a comprehensive public university of 8,998 students that has received national recognition for many of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, as well as its sustainability initiatives. Radford Well known for its strong faculty/student bonds, innovative use of technology in the learning environment and vibrant student life on a beautiful 211-acre American classical campus, Radford University offers students many opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. With over 300 clubs and organizations, Radford University offers many opportunities for student engagement, leadership development and community service. In addition to robust academic offerings and engaging student experiences on the main campus located in Radford, Virginia, Radford University also offers a clinical-based educational experience for more than 1,100 students living and learning in Roanoke, Virginia as part of Radford University Carilion, a public-private partnership focused on the cutting-edge delivery of health sciences programming, outreach and service.

Joshua

Daggett