LYNCHBURG, VA. – The UNC Asheville men’s and women’s cross country teams finished fifth and eighth at the 2008 New Balance Big South Cross Country championships on Saturday morning.

Freshman Sam Maynard turned in a great performance in the men’s 8-kilometer race placing 15^th with a time of 26:51.92.  Maynard was followed by senior Andrew Burnette in 26^th (27:42.38), senior Adam Matthews in 33^rd (28:06.17), freshman Kent Rankin in 37^th (28:22.41), junior Adam Vick in 46^th (29:06.67), and freshman Jake Latini in 56^th (29:54.05).

Pre-meet favorite Liberty captured the men’s championship for the fourth consecutive year.  Liberty redshirt sophomore Sam Chelanga won the men’s individual title with a course record time of 24:32.97.

In the women’s 5K, the Bulldogs were once again led by freshman Emma Bussard.  Bussard finished in 13^th place with a time of 19:20.51.  Sophomore Katherine Clark came in 48^th (21:57.23), freshman Mackenize Wheaton placed 49^th (21:58.67), junior Katie Olert finished in 53^rd (22:12.05), freshman Erin Putnam took 54^th place (22:15.65), and junior Emily Becker placed 58^th (22:41.46).