Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography 2019
Payne Set for National Title Race
3/13/2021 9:49:00 AM | Men's XC, Women's XC
The men's 10K race begins at 1:40 P.M. on March 15
NCAA Release
Spectator Parking | Spectator Course Access Map
STILLWATER, Okla. (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University junior harrier Andy Payne (Worthington, Ohio-Thomas Worthington) will make his NCAA Cross Country Championships debut Monday, March 15. The men's 10K title race, hosted by Oklahoma State University, is expected to begin at 1:40 p.m. ET following the women's 6K at 12:50 p.m. ET.
Due to a shortened cross country season, Eastern Michigan did not have the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Thus, Payne, like many other competitors, has not run a 10K race all season.
The last time the Ohio product competed in a 10K race was at last season's regional meet on the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course in Madison, Wis., Nov. 15, 2019. At the meet, Payne paced all Eagles, finishing 49th with a personal-best time of 31:34.5, and helping his team place 10th overall.
In 2016, former Eagle Jordann McDermitt was the last member of the women's squad to place top-50-or-better at the NCAA championships, placing 24th in the 6K with a brisk 20:14.6 time, Nov. 19. McDermitt made huge jumps throughout the race, earning All-American status for her incredible performance.
That season, the women's team finished ninth overall with 316 points, the highest finish for the women's side in school history. Moreover, the team's finish is also the highest in women's Mid-American Conference history.
Also in 2016, former Eagle Nick Raymond is the most recent member of the men's team to record a top-50 finish in the national title race, capturing 31st place with a 30:18.9 time in Terre Haute, Ind., Nov. 19. For his excellence on the course, Raymond also received All-American honors.
Last season, Brigham Young University's (109 points) men's team hoisted the NCAA trophy for the first time in program history, Nov. 23, 2019. The Cougars had an average finish time of 31:08.58 to dethrone the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona University (163 points). The 2019 individual champion was Iowa State's Edwin Kurgat, crossing the finish line at 30:32.7.
For the women, the University of Arkansas (96 points) left Terre Haute, Ind. having won its first cross country title, edging BYU (102 points). University of New Mexico harrier Weini Kelati took the individual crown in 19:47.5.
This year, fans will be able to watch the NCAA Championships live on ESPNU or on the ESPN App. Coverage of the races will begin at 12:30 p.m.. ET.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMUXC_TF, and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF.
Spectator Parking | Spectator Course Access Map
STILLWATER, Okla. (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University junior harrier Andy Payne (Worthington, Ohio-Thomas Worthington) will make his NCAA Cross Country Championships debut Monday, March 15. The men's 10K title race, hosted by Oklahoma State University, is expected to begin at 1:40 p.m. ET following the women's 6K at 12:50 p.m. ET.
Due to a shortened cross country season, Eastern Michigan did not have the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Thus, Payne, like many other competitors, has not run a 10K race all season.
The last time the Ohio product competed in a 10K race was at last season's regional meet on the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course in Madison, Wis., Nov. 15, 2019. At the meet, Payne paced all Eagles, finishing 49th with a personal-best time of 31:34.5, and helping his team place 10th overall.
In 2016, former Eagle Jordann McDermitt was the last member of the women's squad to place top-50-or-better at the NCAA championships, placing 24th in the 6K with a brisk 20:14.6 time, Nov. 19. McDermitt made huge jumps throughout the race, earning All-American status for her incredible performance.
That season, the women's team finished ninth overall with 316 points, the highest finish for the women's side in school history. Moreover, the team's finish is also the highest in women's Mid-American Conference history.
Also in 2016, former Eagle Nick Raymond is the most recent member of the men's team to record a top-50 finish in the national title race, capturing 31st place with a 30:18.9 time in Terre Haute, Ind., Nov. 19. For his excellence on the course, Raymond also received All-American honors.
Last season, Brigham Young University's (109 points) men's team hoisted the NCAA trophy for the first time in program history, Nov. 23, 2019. The Cougars had an average finish time of 31:08.58 to dethrone the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona University (163 points). The 2019 individual champion was Iowa State's Edwin Kurgat, crossing the finish line at 30:32.7.
For the women, the University of Arkansas (96 points) left Terre Haute, Ind. having won its first cross country title, edging BYU (102 points). University of New Mexico harrier Weini Kelati took the individual crown in 19:47.5.
This year, fans will be able to watch the NCAA Championships live on ESPNU or on the ESPN App. Coverage of the races will begin at 12:30 p.m.. ET.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMUXC_TF, and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF.
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