Katy Kunc Makes it Two Wins From Two Starts at Bluegrass Invite

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky’s Katy Kunc has started the 2015 cross country season strong having now won each of her first two meets this campaign. Kunc led wire to wire to win Saturday’s Bluegrass Invitational at Masterson Station Park. She crossed the finish line with a 5,000-meter time of 17:06.60. 

The next best finisher was nearly 14 seconds slower. 

Eastern Kentucky’s women’s team won Saturday’s Bluegrass Invitational with 28 points (lowest score wins, based on places from top-five finishers). Kentucky was second with 40 points.

No. 23 EKU edged UK to win the men’s team competition 44-47. 

Jacob Thomson turned in a good run to place second overall in 24:19.2 (averaging a 4:53.6 mile over 8k, which is just less than five miles). Spencer Hrycay was UK’s No. 2 finisher, fourth overall, in 24:27.60.

Notably, Kentucky finished ahead of Illinois – which is receiving votes in the USTFCCCA Coaches Poll – by three points – although teams sometimes don’t travel their top lineups to early-September meets.

Zack Beavin placed eighth with a time of 24:47.50. Freshman Kendall Muhammad was 10th in 24:49.10.

Caroline McCaslin ran 17:32.80 for sixth place. Amy Hansen placed ninth in 17:48.60 and Michelle McKinney ran 18:04.00 to finish 16th. Avery Bussjager rounded out UK’s top-5 with a 24th-place time of 18:19.10.

Women’s Results (Team)

1. Eastern Kentucky: 28

2. Kentucky: 40

3. Miami (Ohio) : 69

Women’s Results (Individual – UK Only)

1. Katy Kunc: 17:06.60

6. Caroline McCaslin: 17:32.80

9. Amy Hansen: 17:48.60

13. Devynn Miller: 17:59.70

16. Michelle McKinney: 18:04.90

24. Avery Bussjager: 18:19.10

26. Jill Weston: 18:20.70

Men’s Results (Team)

1. Eastern Kentucky: 44

2. Kentucky: 47

3: Illinois: 50

Men’s Results (Individual – Winner and UK Only)

1. Erick Rotich (EKU): 24:11.90

2. Jacob Thomson: 24:19.20

4. Spencer Hrycay: 24:27.60

8. Zack Beavin: 24:47.50

10. Kendall Muhammad: 24:49.10

27. James Brown: 25:24.80

29. Daniel Southard: 25:30.90

31. Michael Iacofano: 25:33.30

32. Gabe Harm: 25:39.90

35. Raine Wireman: 25:42.70

40. Ryan Polman: 25:55.60

48. Tim Layten: 26:16.70

58. Luke Sharkey: 27:11.80