Florida State University Athletics

Alyson Churchill wins the women's 5K
Photo by: D'Vel Photo
Churchill, Neill Win at Covered Bridge Open
9/15/2023 4:10:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
BOONE, N.C. – The No. 29 Florida State men's cross country team brought home its second win of the 2023 season, by taking the team title at the Covered Bridge Open with a score of 22 points.
Newcomer Matthew Neill won the men's 8k with a time of 24:15.63, winning the race by five seconds.
The four remaining scoring runners packed up behind Neill and finished within 10 seconds of each other, led by Zach Cloud in fourth place (24:23.43). Cooper Schroeder added a sixth place finish (24:29.21), followed by Zach Leachman in seventh (24:32.68) and Coleman Cronk in eighth (24:33.69), who turned in his best time.
"The guys did a great job of executing the race plan," FSU men's head coach Bob Braman said. "We packed up well and finished strong. I was really pleased for Matt. He's been one of our hardest workers and it was great for him to have a chance to shine."
The 23rd-ranked women were led by Alyson Churchill, who posted another personal best in the 5k to win with a time of 16:08.30. In her second victory this season, Churchill finished 40 seconds ahead of the next runner.
"Aly had another really wonderful showing," FSU head women's coach Cody Halsey said. "She is starting to touch on areas in practice and race day that are giving her a glimpse of what's to come and that's really exciting."
The Seminoles finished second behind Wake Forest (23) with a score of 36 points.
Bieke Schipperen turned in her best time and followed Churchill to place seventh (17:28.11) and Caitlin Wilkey followed in eighth (17:32.40). Newcomer Sydney Nowicki finished in 11th (17:38.66) and Anna Sentner rounded out the scorers in 13th (17:40.59), both turning in career bests.
"We were really pleased with the women's performance today," Halsey added. "It's clear we have built some fitness. Although we aren't satisfied, we definitely are getting better as a collective group."
The teams will split on Sept. 29 as the Noles will host the FSU XC Invitational at the Apalachee Regional Park. A group will also head to South Bend, Indiana to compete in the Joe Piane Invitational.
For more information on Florida State cross country, follow Twitter @FSU_Track and Instagram @FSU_Track.
Newcomer Matthew Neill won the men's 8k with a time of 24:15.63, winning the race by five seconds.
The four remaining scoring runners packed up behind Neill and finished within 10 seconds of each other, led by Zach Cloud in fourth place (24:23.43). Cooper Schroeder added a sixth place finish (24:29.21), followed by Zach Leachman in seventh (24:32.68) and Coleman Cronk in eighth (24:33.69), who turned in his best time.
"The guys did a great job of executing the race plan," FSU men's head coach Bob Braman said. "We packed up well and finished strong. I was really pleased for Matt. He's been one of our hardest workers and it was great for him to have a chance to shine."
The 23rd-ranked women were led by Alyson Churchill, who posted another personal best in the 5k to win with a time of 16:08.30. In her second victory this season, Churchill finished 40 seconds ahead of the next runner.
"Aly had another really wonderful showing," FSU head women's coach Cody Halsey said. "She is starting to touch on areas in practice and race day that are giving her a glimpse of what's to come and that's really exciting."
The Seminoles finished second behind Wake Forest (23) with a score of 36 points.
Bieke Schipperen turned in her best time and followed Churchill to place seventh (17:28.11) and Caitlin Wilkey followed in eighth (17:32.40). Newcomer Sydney Nowicki finished in 11th (17:38.66) and Anna Sentner rounded out the scorers in 13th (17:40.59), both turning in career bests.
"We were really pleased with the women's performance today," Halsey added. "It's clear we have built some fitness. Although we aren't satisfied, we definitely are getting better as a collective group."
The teams will split on Sept. 29 as the Noles will host the FSU XC Invitational at the Apalachee Regional Park. A group will also head to South Bend, Indiana to compete in the Joe Piane Invitational.
For more information on Florida State cross country, follow Twitter @FSU_Track and Instagram @FSU_Track.
Players Mentioned
DC Tony White: “It takes all of us”
Sunday, October 05
OC Gus Malzahn: “They’ve got guts”
Sunday, October 05
Behind the Mic | FSU Football with Jeff Culhane | Miami
Sunday, October 05
FSU Football | Miami Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, October 05