ACU wins both titles

Men, women dominate ACU Classic

Manirakiza, Stashkiv win titles to lead teams to wins

ABILENE -- ACU's Bernard Manirakiza and Yuliya Stashkiv won the men's and women's individual championships, respectively, Friday at the ACU Cross Country Classic, leading their teams to the team titles at the season-opening event at Sherrod Park.

The ACU men's team captured five of the top six places to finish with 17 points, 33 points better than second-place Northwood. Manirakiza won the individual title, covering the four-mile course in 20:02.78, while teammate Arthemon Sindayigaya finished second at 20:28.73.

ACU's other top-six finishers were Martin O'Kello (tird in 20:39.83), Nick Branen (fifth in 21:02.26) and Jean-Marie Ndukimana (sixth in 21:17.44).

Stashkiv paced a solid effort by the ACU women, winning the thre-mile race in 18:3.98. Her victory paced a women's team that saw four of its runners finish in the top six to finish with 27 points to 59 for second-place South Plains College.

ACU's other top-six finishers were Justine Nahimana (third in 19:11.08), Abbie Waters (fifth in 19:51.41) and Crystal Berndt (sixth in 19:57.28).

The ACU women's team will return to action next Saturday when they run in the Texas A&M Invitational, while two men -- Seth Patterson and Justin Thompson -- will run in the meet.

ACU CROSS COUNTRY CLASSIC
WOMEN (3 MILES)
Team Results -- 1. Abilene Christian, 27; 2. South Plains, 59; 3. Angelo State, 94; 3. Wayland Baptist, 94; 5. Northwood, 114; 6. Tarleton State, 138; 7. West Texas A&M, 190; 8. Panhandle State, 196.
Top 10 Individuals -- 1. Yuliya Stashkiv, ACU, 18:36.98; 2. Adeh Mwamba, South Plains 18:50.50; 3. Justine Nahimana, ACU, 19:11.08; 4. Katie Poindexter, Unattached 19:23.77; 5. Abbie Waters, ACU, 19:51.41; 6. Crystal Berndt, ACU, 19:57.28; Naomi Kiprotich, South Plains 20:05.37; 8. Tiffany Lambert, Wayland Bapt 20:11.59; 9. Angie Flores, Northwood 20:14.50; 10. Trista McIntyre, Angelo State 20:15.50.
ACU Finishers -- 1. Yuliya Stashkiv, 18:36.98; 3. Justine Nahimana, 19:11.08; 5. Abbie Waters, 19:51.41; 6. Crystal Berndt, 19:57.28; 15. Jody Pelletier, 20:42.95; 23. Mollye Stanford, 21:26.40; 32. Jill Singleton, 22:16.06.

MEN (4 MILES)
Team results -- 1. Abilene Christian, 17; 2. Northwood, 50; 3. Angelo State, 88; 4. Tarleton State, 106; 5. West Texas A&M, 123; 6. Wayland Baptist, 126; 7. Panhandle State, 213
Top 10 Individuals -- 1. Bernard Manirakiza, ACU, 20:02.78; 2. Arthemon Sindayigaya, ACU, 20:28.73; 3. Martin Okello, ACU, 20:39.83; 4. Pete Belman, Northwood 20:47.67; 5. Nick Branen, ACU, 21:02.26; 6. Jean-Marie Ndikumana, ACU, 21:17.44; 7. Stephen Lemiso, South Plains 21:56.61; 8. Trent Joseph, Angelo State 22:12.70; 9. Joe Beisner, Unattached, 22:22.54; 10. Ricky Alarcon, Northwood 22:35.75.
ACU Finishers -- 1. Bernard Manirakiza, 20:02.78; 2. Arthemon Sindayigaya, 20:28.73; 3. Martin Okello, 20:39.83; 4. Pete Belman, Northwood 20:47.67; 5. Nick Branen, 21:02.26; 6. Jean-Marie Ndikumana, 21:17.44; 11. Justin Thompson, 22:47.58; 21. Seth Patterson, 23:19.62.