WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.--University of Evansville junior Ryan Witters (Evansville, Ind./Memorial) posted two of UE’s four top-four individual finishes on Saturday to lead a strong showing by the Purple Aces at the Purdue Outdoor Open Track Meet at Dave Rankin Track in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Witters finished third out of 13 runners in the 1,500-meter race with a time of 4:00.31, while also placing fourth out of 10 runners in the 800-meter run in a time of 1:57.02 to lead UE’s efforts in its third outdoor track meet of the spring. Freshman Cody Stein (Evanston, Ind./Heritage Hills) also posted a fourth-place finish in the men’s 5,000-meter event in a time of 15:41.48, while fellow rookie Brady Hall (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a time of 10:40.38.
“Our guys continue to run well this spring, which is a great sign for the upcoming fall season,” said UE head coach Don Walters. “Ryan Witters has really taken his running to the next level this spring, as his times in the 800- and 1,500-meter races have been outstanding. Cody Stein has also stepped up his running, as has a lot of our guys this spring.
“Hopefully, we can continue to build on the work that we have put in this spring and have a solid season on the cross country course this fall.”
Members of the UE cross country team have competed in three outdoor track meets this spring, per NCAA rules. The Purple Aces will wrap up the spring track season this weekend by traveling to Terre Haute, Indiana to take part in the Pacesetter Invitational hosted by Indiana State.
INDIVIDUAL UE RESULTS FROM THE PURDUE OUTDOOR OPEN
Men’s 800-Meter Race:
4. Ryan Witters, 1:57.02
Men’s 1,500-Meter Race:
3. Ryan Witters, 4:00.31
6. Chris Kipchirchir, 4:06.84
12. Kyle O’Connor, 4:38.68
Men’s 5,000-Meter Race:
4. Cody Stein, 15:41.48
8. Sam Mires, 16:13.79
Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
4. Brady Hall, 10:40.38