Karas and Kruse Help Cavaliers Cruise to Season-Opening Wins

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Thanks to strong pack running, the Virginia men’s and women’s cross country teams opened their 2021 campaigns with wins at Richmond’s Spider Alumni Open in Mechanicsville, Va. The UVA women’s five scoring runners placed among the top 10 finishers while the men’s team saw their top five finishers all place in the top seven of that race.

UVA was led by second-place finishes from senior Gabby Karas on the women’s side and graduate student Ka’eo Kruse for the men’s team. Karas ran the two-mile Pole Green Park circuit in 10:55.9 while Kruse was the runner-up in the men’s 5,000-meter event with a time of 14:49.0. It was the best finish for both runners in a collegiate cross country meet.

Virginia’s Helena Lindsay was the women’s team’s second finisher, running 11:02.4 to place fourth. She was followed in the results by Ellie Desmond (11:03.8) in fifth place. Taylor Jones secured eighth place (11:13.7) and the final scoring runner for the Cavaliers was Veronic Boire (11:18.7) in 10th position.

On the men’s side, Kruse was followed across the finish line by teammates Jack Eliason (14.49.9) and Jacob Hunter (14:50.9). Johnny Rogers placed sixth (14.52.8) followed by Conor Murphy (15:02.7) in seventh place to round out UVA’s scoring.

“The men and the women did a good job today of winning their openers,” said Virginia director of track and field and cross country Vin Lananna. “It has been a long time since they’ve had an opportunity to compete, so I was excited about their performances. They had good low scores and executed well. We’re excited to have our next meet at home on September 17 when we host our Invitational at Panorama Park.”

Up Next
Virginia will host its first home meet of the season on Friday, Sept. 17 at Panorama Farms. The Virginia Invitational will start at 5:15 p.m. and feature a 5k course for the women’s race and an 8k event for the men.

Spider Alumni Open
Pole Green Park
Mechanicsville, Va.

Women’s Team Results (2-mile)

1. Virginia – 29
2. Richmond – 48
3. James Madison – 58
4. George Mason – 145
5. Christopher Newport – 157
6. VCU – 167
7. Mary Washington – 192
8. Longwood – 192

UVA Individual Finishes

2. Gabby Karas – 10:55.9
3. Helena Lindsay – 11:02.4
4. Ellie Desmond – 11:03.8
5. Taylor Jones – 11:13.7
6. Veronic Boire – 11:18.7
7. Lila Fenner – 11:20.7
8. Liza Neely – 11:21.1
9. Claire Fraizer Bolton – 11:45.7
10. Emma Myer – 11:55.3
11. Coco Holliday – 12:19.9
12. Natalie Bardach – 12:59.7

Men’s Team Results (5,000 meters)

1. Virginia – 22
2. Richmond – 56
3. Christopher Newport – 85
4. George Mason – 89
5. VCU – 133
6. Mary Washington – 185
7. Longwood – 205

UVA Individual Finishes

2. Ka’eo Kruse – 14:49
3. Jack Eliason – 14:49.9
4. Jacob Hunter – 14:50.9
5. Johnny Rogers – 14:52.8
6. Conor Murphy – 15:02.7
7. Kevin Carlson – 15:03.6
8. Kellen Hasle – 15:11.8
9. Nick Karayianis – 15:13.8
10. Justin Diehl – 15:24.7
11. Ali Ibrahim – 15:36.2