Akron Set to Host 55th Annual Tommy Evans Invitational

Friday, August 30

Norton, Ohio

6:00 PM

University of Akron

55th Annual Tommy Evans Invitational

Akron Set to Host 55th Annual Tommy Evans Invitational

August 29 | Cross Country

MEET INFORMATION | TEAM AND HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE PARKING | SPECTATOR PARKING | LIVE STATS

AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron men's and women's cross country squads will open their 2024 campaign hosting the 55th annual Tommy Evans Invitational this Friday, Aug. 30, at the Silver Creek Cross Country Park (MAP) in Norton, Ohio (4325 S Medina Line Rd, Norton | OH 44203-5840).

The Tommy Evans Invitational will mark the eighth year for the Zips to race on the dedicated cross-country course at Silver Creek Metro Park. The women's 5K race will open the meet at 6:15 p.m. followed by the men's 6K race at 6:45 p.m.

Joining Akron in the field will be Akron (M/W), Bowling Green (M/W), Cincinnati (M/W), Cleveland State (M/W), Eastern Michigan (M/W), Kent State (M/W), Mount Union (M/W), Oakland (M/W), Ohio (M/W), Ohio State (M/W), Toledo (M/W) and Youngstown State (M/W).

The Akron cross country team under the leadership of head coach Evans Kiptoo is set for the 2024 campaign led by sophomores Mary Munga (Nyandarua, Kenya) and Majid Abuaun (Rocky River, Ohio).

A year ago, the Akron men's team made a triumphant return to the Mid-American Conference Championships as the Zips captured the program's first ever league title.

The Zips bested Toledo to earn the team crown as four Zips finished in the top 10.

Timothy Chesondin led Akron's performances in the men's race crossing the line in a cross country 8K school-record time of 23:59.82.

Following tightly behind with the second-fastest time in program history was Brian Masai, who placed third in 24:01.39. Adding the third-fastest time in program history, 24:21.75, to finish fifth was Chase Easterling.

The trio of Chesondin, Masai and Easterling collected First-Team All-MAC honors for their efforts, while sophomore Titus Kirui (Eldoret, Kenya) garnered Second-Team All-MAC accolades finishing 12th in 24:41.71.

Rounding out Akron's scoring efforts with a career-best time of 25:18.60 to place 33rd was Kyle Stober.

Additionally, Majid, Anthony Nichols, Zayd Elkurd and Jean Dieuvil added times of 25:56.79, 26:39.44, 27:31.29 and 28:19.09, respectively.

Munga is Akron's top returner finisher on the women's side after crossing the line for the Zips in a career-best time of 20:45.64 to garner First-Team All-MAC honors on the strength of a fourth-place finish at the 2023 MAC Championships. Additionally, she was selected as the MAC Freshman of the Year.

Rounding out Akron's scoring efforts at the MAC Championships in career-best times of 21:15.60, 21:41.39 and 21:42.17, respectively, was sophomore Megan Hipple (Warren, Ohio) and seniors Halle Sebest (Poland, Ohio) and Danielle Honaker (Ashland, Ohio).

Wrapping up the Zips' scoring efforts with a time of 22:19.98 was Kayla Gonzales.

Additionally, Makenna Heimlich, sophomores Kayla Sucharski (Galena, Ohio) and Lauren LaRue (Oregon, Ohio) and senior Hannah Kerr (Chillicothe, Ohio) registered times of 23:12.91, 23:33.43, 23:53.93 and 24:03.00.

The Zips continue their campaign traveling to Muncie, Ind., for the We Fly Ball State Cross Country Challenge on Sept. 14.