CHARLESTON, S.C. – Hunter Steinau claimed the Big South Conference Individual Champion, leading the High Point University men's cross country team to a second-place finish at the 2024 Big South Cross Country Championships on Friday morning at Charleston Southern University. The Panthers were five points from the host Bucs' first-place 41 points.
Head Coach Mike Esposito: "The team result was very disappointing. We did exactly what we wanted to do; we engaged, we organized and with 7k to go, we were right there. It's interesting because we had some of our athletes who really, really stepped up and then we had some athletes that didn't perform to the level they are capable, and it cost us. Cross country is a team sport, and we have a veteran group that does all the right things. I'm disappointed for them because this was one that we should have gotten. Obviously, credit to Charleston Southern, they did a great job on their home course, but we had it right there. We just had to finish the deal, and we didn't do it. Hunter has been so consistent. This is a 10-flat, 3200m guy out of high school that just does the right things and is coachable. He's just getting better and better. I'm really happy for him because this is his first conference championship. He beat some pretty good kids out there. I'm very proud of Hunter and I'm glad he came back. We still have some big things to do with all these guys."
Steinau captured the Individual Champion title, marking the first time since Jeff LaCoste triumphed to win the Big South Cross Country individual title in 2014. This victory represents Steinau's first collegiate first-place finish as a Panther. He took control of the race from the gun, expertly pacing his teammates throughout the course. Steinau surged to the finish with a solid final kick, clocking in at 24:05.9 and achieving a new personal best. In addition to his championship win, Steinau earned First Team All-Conference recognition.
Gavin Stevens crossed the finish line as the second Panther of the day, setting a new personal best of 24:44.0. He maintained his position with the front pack for most of the race, making a solid push at the end to secure an impressive eighth overall finish. Stevens was also recognized with Second Team All-Conference honors and a spot on the All-Academic Team.
Graham Ferguson finished just behind Stevens with a time of 24:46.2. He strategically paced himself at the back of the front pack for the first 4K before unleashing a powerful finish to secure ninth place overall. Ferguson's performance earned him Second Team All-Conference honors.
Avery Crowell kicked off his season at the Big South Championships, finishing 11th overall with a time of 24:52.9. He raced closely with teammate
Kyler Koning, who achieved a new personal best of 24:55.1 and secured 12th place. Both Crowell and Koning were honored with Second Team All-Conference accolades for their outstanding performances.
Jason Thomson and Othamne El Gharissi crossed the finish line in 15th and 16th place, clocking in at 25:03.4 and 25:09.4, respectively.
Jake Tarosky was right on their heels, finishing in 21st place after hanging back with the second pack for most of the race.
Aiden Morrison maintained a competitive pace throughout the race, finishing strong at 25:56.8. Jake Fiorillo rounded out the Panther lineup, crossing the finish line at 26:22.2.
Despite their second-place finish, the Panthers brought home some impressive hardware at the awards ceremony. High Point's standout, Steinau, was honored with Big South Runner of the Year, Individual Champion, and First Team All-Conference accolades. Meanwhile, Stevens, Ferguson, Crowell, and Koning all earned recognition as Second Team All-Conference selections.
Final Team Results
1 – Charleston Southern (36)
2 – High Point (41)
3 – UNC Asheville (58)
4 – Radford (126)
5 – Longwood (145)
6 – USC Upstate (153)
7 – Winthrop (221)
8 – Gardner-Webb (224)
9 – Presbyterian (282)
Individual Champion
Hunter Steinau, High Point
All-Conference (Top 14 Finishers)
First-Team
Hunter Steinau, High Point
Adam Hessler, UNC Asheville
Paul Kiprotich, UNC Asheville
Zach Mickler, Charleston Southern
Sam Waldin, Charleston Southern
Caleb Kenyon, Charleston Southern
Martin Iriondo, Charleston Southern
Second-Team
Gavin Stevens, High Point
Graham Ferguson, High Point
Jan Malek, UNC Asheville
Avery Crowell, High Point
Kyler Koning, High Point
Asrael Cabusoa, Radford
Christian Mariner, Charleston Southern
All-Academic Team
Christian Mariner, Charleston Southern, Jr.
Mark Mellon, Gardner-Webb, Sr.
Gavin Stevens, High Point, Soph.
Alec Daniel, Longwood, Sr.
Noah Kaufman, Presbyterian, Soph.
Liam McDonald, Radford, Jr.
Quinn Jacquez, UNC Asheville, Jr.
Sam Shimanskiy, USC Upstate, Jr.
Chadwick Sisson, Winthrop, Soph.
#GoHPU
