LOUISVILLE, KY. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's cross country team wrapped up the season taking home 20^th out of 30 teams at the NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships at the E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park in Louisville, Kentucky hosted by the University of Kentucky on Friday.
 
This was the Spartans' best finish since 2013, when the team posted an 11^th-place mark, and it was their first 10-kilometer race of the season. UNCG totaled 569 points for 20^th place, while Southern Conference (SoCon) champions Furman University was the runner up with 66 points and Wake Forest University tallied 49 points for the title.
 
At the four-kilometer split, the Spartans were 18^th, for their highest mark of the race. At the eight-kilometer check point, UNCG fell two places to 20^th.
 
Junior Michael Zapherson, in his second regional appearance of his career, led the Spartans with a 91^st-place finish. He clocked in a time of 31:26.6, a career best. In his third regional appearance, senior Dylan Christopher was the second Blue & Gold across the finish line finishing 118^th out of 222. He also ran a career best time of 32:03.3.
 
Classmates Thomas Knepshield and Joe Thoma placed 128^th and 129^th, respectively. Knepshield, in his third appearance, ran the course with a time of 32:15.5, a career best. Thoma, who ran his first NCAA Championship, completed the race in 32:15.6.
 
Senior Nicholas Thoma and freshman Ethan Long, also in their first NCAA Championship appearances, finished 140^th and 159^th, respectively. Thoma crossed the finish line in 32:26.5, while Long ran the 10k in 32:59.2.

From Coach Kaleigh Roach
"I'm proud of this team and how we competed today! For the ladies, a lot of consistent performances. For the men, a lot of personal lifetime personal bests in the 10k. I'm especially proud of our seniors for leading this program and fostering that culture to the underclassmen. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this group is special! We've had a unique season and these athletes have displayed courage, commitment, and have brought positive energy to practice every single day. We're looking to carry the momentum from cross country to the upcoming indoor track & field season. I'm thankful and blessed to be part of this Spartan family!"