LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville cross country teams ran at the popular Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic on Saturday, and the men's squad finished a strong sixth while the ladies placed 38th as both fields featured numerous Division I institutions.
 
The number of participating schools that participate in the event is so large that three separate races are held, and the Chargers ran in the Blue Race.
 
The men's team ran incredibly well in the fast event as schools records and personal bests fell.
 
Leading his team to the strong finish, Blaise Binns smashed his personal-best and the school record as he finished 13th with a time of 25:13, and he was second among Division II runners in the field. His previous best time in the 8,000m was 25:30 which was also the school record.
 
The Huntsville native's performance helped the team finish third among Division II teams, placing behind national powers Grand Valley State who finished second overall and Edinboro who was fourth. The team's showing could propel the Chargers – who sit tops in the South Region poll – into the USTFCCCA national rankings.
 
Finishing just behind Binns was Jose Ortega who ran the course in 25:17 to place 16th while also demolishing his previous personal best, and Dante Dorsey finished 74th as he crossed the line in 26:08. Placing 95th out of the field of 362, Joey Bemowski turned in a 26:20 showing, and the UAH scorers were rounded out by Myles Scarano whose time of 26:45 was good for 158th.
 
Taylor Buzzard was 175th as he finished in 26:50, and Kenny Richardson finished 179th with a time of 26:52. Placing 211th with a 27:06 time was Costa Smith, Matt Ursprung ran to a 27:18 time and 230th finish, and Jakin Foster finished 243rd with a 27:24 showing.
 
On the women's side, Vicky Winslow once again led the way as she finished 47th with a time of 18:48. Winslow has finished first among her teammates in each of the three races this season, helping the Lady Chargers own a sixth-place ranking in the USTFCCCA South Region poll.
 
Kasey Spencer clocked in at 20:15 to place 218th out of 337. Running the course in 20:25, Michelle Kruse finished 236th. To round out the Lady Charger scorers, Kelsey Crawford crossed at 20:44 on the clock to finish 267th, and Amber Powell was 278th with a time of 20:59.
 
Heather Powell (21:02/280th), Kayla Luechtefeld (21:03/281st), Kattie Brakke (22:25/321st), and Haley Hancock (22:50/326th) also ran for the Blue and White.
 
The Lady Chargers finished ahead of Division I member Austin Peay and a potential future Gulf South Conference foe Lee who is transitioning towards league and NCAA Division II membership.
 
The teams will next run on Oct. 13 at the Chili Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Ark., in their final tune-ups before postseason events begin.