BOONE, N.C. – The Emory & Henry Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams had their final race before the 2013 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships Friday afternoon as they competed at the Blue Ridge Open hosted by Appalachian State University. Once again, the field was mostly NCAA Division I and Division II schools with E&H running as one of four Division III teams.

The E&H men saw their top five runners finish within 51 seconds of one another in the best pack running so far this season. Freshman Kevin Watts (Stafford, Va.) led the way as he ran a 28:50 across the 8K course. Sophomore Nathan Fishell (Richmond, Va.) was close behind in second with a 28:57. Third place on the team went to freshman Jackson Feezell (Gastonia, N.C.) as he turned in a time of 29:28 while the reigning ODAC Runner of the Week, freshman Alex Cooper (Christiansburg, Va.), was fourth, running a 29:36. Sophomore Will Leigh (Hamilton, Va.) rounded out the top five for E&H as he ran a 29:41.

Sandy Roberts, an unattached runner, won the meet in 24:19, while host Appalachian State claimed the team title.

On the women's side, sophomore Leslie Sierra (Front Royal, Va.), who was the ODAC Women's Runner of the Week last week, led the Wasps once again running the 5K race in 22:24. Sophomore Elizabeth Wilson (Roanoke, Va.) was second on the team with a 22:57 while freshman Natalie Foley (Salem, Va.) was third on the team with a 23:11. Rounding out the top five for Emory & Henry were sophomore Gabbie Rhodes (Richmond, Va.) and freshman Audra VanDerwerker (Bedford, Va.), turning in times of 23:52 and 24:56, respectively.

Furman University won the overall meet while the Paladins' Allie Buchalski claimed medalist honors with a 17:39.

Emory & Henry will next compete in the 2013 ODAC Championships on Saturday, November 5. Hampden-Sydney College will serve as this year's host for the conference meet.

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