Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Louisville Cross Country Classic
Withrow Leads Way as Marshall XC Has Strong Showing at Louisville Classic
10/3/2026 12:11:00 PM | Cross Country
Championship Fund | Relay Club
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Marshall's Cross Country program met the challenge of competing at the one of the nation's largest annual meets - the Louisville Classic - Saturday morning at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park.
Both squads competed in the Gold Race, with the women finishing 4th, and the men finishing 7th - both races had over 24 teams competing.
"The men's and women's teams had an outstanding overall performance today, with several athletes delivering impressive individual efforts," said Director of XC/TF Keith Roberts. "Rachael was phenomenal once again, earning another meet victory and continuing an incredible streak in which she has won every meet this season. Destiny also had a strong performance and has been remarkably consistent throughout the season, which will serve her well as the team approaches championship season."
For the third-consecutive meet, Rachael Withrow was crowned the individual meet champion. Withrow raced a winning 5K time of 16:26, winning in a field of 240 runners, the largest so far this season. The two-time SBC Women's Runner of the Week continues to hold the fastest time in the conference ahead of the league's championships at the end of the month.
Withrow was followed behind Destiny Berryman with a Top-11 finish. Freshman Brayleigh Becken, Taylor Spencer, and Ella Harding rounded out the Herd Top-5.
Justin Lipscomb led the Marshall men for the third-consecutive meet to open the season, leading the team with a 24:37 8K time, five seconds off his 8K PR at last season's SBC Championships.
A collegiate-debuting Amos Kimble finished second for the Herd, racing a time of 24:52. Beady Dawkins, freshman Landon Jones, and Connor Myers rounded out MU's Top-5 which finished 7th out of 24 teams in the Gold Race.
"Brayleigh turned in one of the day's biggest performances, recording a significant personal best and one of the fastest times by a freshman in school history," added Coach Roberts. "The men's team also had a strong showing, led by Justin's performance. Amos made an impressive collegiate debut, breaking the 25-minute mark, while Brady also came through with a gritty performance and finished under 25 minutes."
"Overall, it was an encouraging day for both teams, with several athletes showing the kind of performances and consistency that can carry the teams into championship season."
MEN'S 8K Top-7
(1) 28. Justin Lipscomb 24:37
(2) 39. Amos Kimble 24:52
(3) 46. Brady Dawkins 24:58
(4) 75. Landon Jones 25:22
(5) 85. Conner Myers 25:26
(6) 95. Garrett Ferguson 25:35
(7) 102. Landon Brumfield 25:39
WOMEN'S 5K Top-7
(1) 1. Rachael Withrow 16:26
(2) 11. Destiny Berryman 17:46
(UN) Hannah Wyler 18:04
(3) 31. Brayleigh Becken 18:15
(4) 68. Taylor Spencer 18:50
(5) 96. Ella Hardin 19:07
(6) 134. Lauren Sonski 19:29
(7) 137. Isabel Griffin 19:30
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall XC/TF, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to Marshall's Cross Country and Track & Field teams. To support Marshall XC/TF's Relay Club, please click HERE.
Follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @HerdTFXC for coverage all season long of Marshall cross country.
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