Men's Cross Country 10.30.24

Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams Capture MEC Championship, Thewes Named Runner of the Year, Pyles Named Coach of the Year

WHEELING, W.Va. — Davis & Elkins College made history on Saturday by capturing Mountain East Conference cross country titles on both the men's and women's sides, marking a historic double victory for the Senators at Oglebay Park's Crispin Course.

Junior Jan Thewes claimed the individual men's title in the 8K with a time of 25:00.23, earning both Runner of the Year and First-Team All-MEC honors. On the women's side, Junior Lauren Twyman crossed the line first in the 6K in 21:59.90, finishing 14 seconds ahead of her closest competitor to secure First-Team All-MEC honors.

D&E head coach Jason Pyles was named Coach of the Year for his leadership in guiding both teams to championship victories. The No. 24 men's team scored 24 points to outpace defending champion University of Charleston, which finished with 45 points. Concord (102), West Virginia Wesleyan (120), and West Liberty (168) rounded out the top five.

"It was very special for us since we had never won it as a team," Thewes said. "That was our main goal coming into this race, just win it for the first time as a team and have a good team performance."

Thewes was joined by teammates Carter McKenna (third), Charlie Stephenson (fifth), Christopher Lucas (seventh), Jackson Gibson (eighth), and Jordan Thomas (10th) on the 10-member MEC all-conference first team. Konnor Allison secured a spot on the All-MEC Second Team.

In the women's competition, Twyman led the D&E team to victory with 41 points, beating four-time defending champion Charleston, which finished second with 82 points. Point Park placed third with 94 points, while West Virginia Wesleyan (100) and Glenville State (147) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

"I just went out there and ran, and I was like, 'Wow, I've never won a collegiate race before,'" Twyman said. "I've also never beaten my teammate, Lydia, before. It's surreal."

Twyman was accompanied on the All-MEC First Team by teammates Lydia Falkenstein (fifth) and Savanna Hardman (ninth). Zoe Belshan, Ella Hesson, and Rebecca Tellez earned Second-Team All-MEC honors for their performances.