The UTM cross-country team ran at Edwardsville, Ill. this past Saturday. The race was the first of its kind. The meet was designed for schools that only run cross-country and not track. Saint Louis University hosted the first Cross-Country Only National Championships.

UTM’s Shalaine Phaup, a junior from Henderson, Ky., led the entire race and out-kicked Creighton’s Angela Fischer for first place in the 6k race. Phaup ran a blistering time of 22:19.91, a personal record and her first collegiate win, to seal her victory.

“Shalaine just out kicked Fischer at the end,” said cross-country head coach Jason McKinney.

Phaup is the first woman to win a cross-country meet for UTM since 1998 at the Arkansas State Cross Country Invitational in Jonesboro.

The UTM woman’s cross-country team finished seventh overall scoring 197.

Also scoring for the Lady Skyhawks were Angelina Gracian (11; 23:28) a personal record, and Megan Vonderheide (50; 25:42). Others included Mary Tatum Ray (72; 28:15), and Hannah Clawson (90; 32:28).

The men’s cross-country team faired a tenth place finish in the Cross Country Only National Championships 8k race in Edwardsville, led by Robby Clapper with a 41st place finish and a time of 28:11. Also scoring for the Skyhawks were Jeremy Coltharp (47; 28:23), Darrell Lewis (56; 28:37), Zac Hedrick (77; 29:35), a personal record, Phillip Rhodes (80), Ryan Wilson (83), and Phillip Gordon (97).

“Our men still have some improvements to make. They are not getting mentally prepared. They are going to have to gain confidence and be ready to run a race,” said coach McKinney.