Sophomore Joe Farley finished fourth in the men’s four-mile race with a time of 19:50.4. Freshman Baidy Ba, competing in his first race at the college level, was directly behind him. Ba placed fifth with a time of 19:50.5. 

Ba and Farley were the only two racers from the Kent State cross country team to finish in the top ten, as KSU placed last in the men’s race and women’s 5k on Saturday at the Tommy Evans Invitational. 

On the women’s side, senior Leah Lisle was the first Flash across the finish line. She placed 14th and ran the race in 19:18.6. Freshman Sydney Gallagher, who finished 21st (19:37.3), and senior Kalli Barrett, who finished 23rd (19:46.1), rounded out the top 25. 

Akron finished in first with a score of 39 and an average time of 18:33. Walsh (47, 18:40), Buffalo (64, 19:00), and Malone (82, 19:18) all finished in front of the Flashes. KSU ended with a score of 116 and an average time of 19:52.

Junior Trey Double was the only other Flash to finish in the top 25 for the Flashes, placing 24th with a time of 20:51.7. 

Walsh took first place in the men’s four-mile in dominating fashion, with a score of 19 and an average time of 19:38. Malone finished second with a score of 66 and a time of 20:24. Buffalo snagged third with a score of 71 and a time of 20:27. KSU ended with a score of 80 and a time of 20:32. Akron does not have a men’s cross country team. 

The Flashes next meet is Sept. 17 for the All-Ohio Championships in Cedarville, Ohio.

Jimmy Oswald is a sports editor. Contact him at [email protected]