TALLULAH FALLS, Ga. -- Lindsey Pritchard ran the USA South Championship 6k course in 22:49.58 to break the program record and became the first member of the women's cross country team to claim the individual championship as Methodist took fourth place on Saturday morning.
 
Additionally, the men's cross country team placed three runners inside the top 20 to finish third in the conference.
 
Berea won the league championship with five runners placing inside the top 15 with a score of 44. Covenant took second after scoring 68 points, while Piedmont claimed third place with a mark of 73. Methodist (85) and Maryville (137) rounded out the top five schools in the team standings.
 
Pritchard completed the 6k course with a time of 22:49.58 to break a 14-year old Methodist record of 23:10 that was set by Lisa Saunders in 2003. Makayla Lawler finished in third place in 23:31.74, while Ally Mattera took 28th place with a time of 25:44.72. Shelbee Knopf ran a 26:09.26 for 32nd place, while Jackie Koger was right behind her with a time of 26:12.59 as she rounded out the scoring for the Monarchs.
 
Mekides Tamerat and Lemlem Gebremichele also ran for MU and finished 46th and 48th, respectively, out of a field of 125 runners.
 
In addition to the race, Lawler was awarded USA South Cross Country Rookie of the Year honors. Over the course of the season, she has earned Rookie of the Week laurels twice and Runner of the Week on one occasion. On top of Lawler's award, she also earned First Team All-USA South accolades after finishing inside the top seven on Saturday. As the winner of the race Pritchard joined her on the first team list, while Mattera picked up an honorable mention nod and joined the All-Sportsmanship team.
 
Lilly Smith of Covenant was named Runner of the Year, while Katie Stanford who leads the Scots claimed Coach of the Year.
 
On the men's side, Berea completed the sweep of the team championships as it recorded a perfect score of 15 with five runners in the top five. Covenant took second place with a score of 66, while Methodist totaled a score of 80 to take third. Piedmont (81) and Maryville (170) rounded out the top five teams at the championship meet.
 
Logan McKenzie of Berea claimed the individual championship after finishing the 8k race in 25:57.38.
 
Endashaw Tonja led the Monarchs with an 11th place finish with a time of 27:39.22, while Sam Hurst finished 13th in 27:47.43. Mack Brooks claimed 16th place after finishing the course in 27:53.70. Connor Ayers ran a 28:41.66 for 24th place as Nathan Zauner rounded out the scoring five runners in 25h in 28:49.71.
 
Jeremy Prichard and Stephen Dukes finished in 36th and 39th place, respectively to place inside the top 40.
 
Tonja and Hurst each received Second team All-USA South honors due to their finishes at the meet, while Brooks earned an honorable mention nod. Tonja also was placed on the All-Sportsmanship team.
 
Logan McKenzie of Berea was named Runner of the Year, while his coach Mike Johnson claimed Coach of the Year. Caleb Aikens of Covenant took home Rookie of the Year honors, as well.

Methodist returns to action for the NCAA Regional Championships on November 11 in Newport News, Va. 




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