November 7, 2009

WINGATE – UNCP sent seven runners to Wingate University on Saturday morning to compete in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championship 10K race. All seven Braves placed in the top 100 and the team came out with a top 4 finish while freshman Pardon Ndhlovu qualified for the national race with a top 5 finish himself.

Ndhlovu paced the Braves, running a 32:14 to place 5th overall. The time was good enough to qualify him for the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship race.

Ndhlovu was followed by Daniel Yeakley who took second for UNCP and 33rd overall in 34:18, Zachary Bayless finished off UNCP's top three with a 34:43 and an 40th place individual finish.

UNCP's team finish (5th with 178 points) was the highest team finish that the Black and Gold have seen at the regional meet since 1990 when they placed third. Queens and Columbus State qualified for the national championship race, placing first (28 points) and second (70 points) respectively.

Clayton State's Fidelis Mutiso (7th in 32:22) joins Ndhlovu in advancing on to the national championship race. Mutiso, Clayton State's top runner, was awarded Peach Belt Conference co-runner of the year earlier this season with Columbus State's Meshack Koyiaki who took home a second place finish at the regional event in 31:14.

Ndhlovu will finish out UNCP's cross country season on a solo mission as he takes to the 2009 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship on Saturday, November 21, at Evansville, Indiana, on the campus of Southern Indiana University.

UNCP Results
- Pardon Ndhlovu (5th, 32:14)
- Daniel Yeakley (33rd,  34:18)
- Zachary Bayless (40th, 34:43)
- Kevin Clancy (51st, 35:29)
- Steven Merritt (53rd, 35:34)
- Christian Wiscovitch (55th, 35:36)
- Cedric Wilson  (67th, 35:57)