SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University cross country teams had a successful second meet of the season as both teams finished sixth in the annual Converse Kick-Off at Milliken Research Park this morning.
 
The women's team finished with 171 total points in the standings and finished ahead of Lenoir-Rhyne, North Greenville, and North Georgia. The Valkyries women's team also finished ahead of Division I foes USC Upstate and Presbyterian College. Wingate won the women's race with 36 total points, followed by Catawba, Montreat, Lincoln Memorial and Anderson.
 
Ruth Spijker finished not only as the Valkyries top runner in the pack but also as the top finisher in Conference Carolinas. The junior finished 17^th overall and recorded a 6K time of 22:45.263. Spijker's time is the sixth best 6K time in program history and is just nine seconds off her personal best.
 
On the men's side, Converse finished with 190 total points and was the top Conference Carolinas school in the standings. The Valkyries finished ahead of Emory & Henry, USC Upstate, Young Harris and Fayetteville State.
 
Luis Rios Brena finished 17^th overall for the Valkyries as he crossed the line first for both Converse and Conference Carolinas programs. Rios Brena's time of 25:47.303 is a new personal best for the Palmetto State native, and it is the second fastest 8K time in program history.
 
Women's Notes:

• Lauren Beatty finished second on the team and second in the conference with a 30^th place finish. The senior clocked a time of 23:19.503 in the 6K event.
• Angel Kravitz finished third on the team with a time of 23:45.163, while senior Ashley Sosa finished seconds behind in fourth place with a time of 23:47.133. Kravitz placed 46^th overall and Sosa placed 48^th overall respectively.
• Paisley Stepp was next across the line for the Valkyries with a 62^nd place finish and a time of 24:37.473. Sara Aguiar Torre finished 71^st overall with a time of 24:54.843 in her first collegiate 6K event.
• Peyton MacMillan finished 93^rd overall with a time of 25:41.693 and Mackenzie Crandell finished 132^nd overall with a time of 27:21.133.
   

Men's Notes:  

• Alain Flores finished both second on the team and second in the conference with a 21^st place finish on Saturday. The sophomore posted a time of 25:51.603, setting both a personal best and the third fastest time in program history.
• DreQuan Guyton finished third on the team and 56^th overall with a time of 26:50.543. For Guyton it was a new personal best as his previous record was a 27:05.1.
• A trio of freshman crossed the finish line next for the Valkyries, as Ander Vera Moleres placed 62^nd overall, Marti Ruiz Barreda finished 67^th overall and Alex Porter crossed the finish line in 74^th place.
• Zackery Carver placed 89^th overall, followed by Greyson Powell who finished 100^th overall in the 8K event. Jaxon Wright placed 114^th overall, Spenser Kirby placed 140^th overall, while Reece Evans and Hunter Heron rounded out the team in 151^st and 153^rd place.  

Next Up:

• The Valkyrie Cross Country teams will be back in action on Saturday, October 5^th at the Louisville Classic. The meet is scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m.

  
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