University of Houston Athletics
Friday, October 28
Tulsa, Okla.
University of Houston
at
The American Championships
Meyer Posts Program-Best Finish at Conference Meet
10/28/2022 12:00:00 PM | Cross Country
Senior Claire Meyer races to All-Conference honor, first in program history
TULSA, Okla. – Senior Claire Meyer raced into the Houston record books at the American Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships on Friday at Mohawk Park, finishing 12th overall on her way to the program's first female All-Conference selection since joining the league.
Meyer made history at the conference championships, posting All-Conference honors by finishing 12th overall in 21 minutes, 23.5 seconds. Entering the meet, no female Cougar student-athlete had earned All-Conference honors at The American Conference Championships, with the best individual finish coming in 2014 – 16th place by Ebony White in 21:43 at the same course in Tulsa.
"Today was a good day for the lady Coogs," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Will Blackburn said.
"Claire Meyer had the highest female finish since Houston has been in The American and the women did a good job competing. The men fought hard, and we will continue to improve and grow both cross programs moving forward in the Big 12 Conference. I appreciate Coach Andy Ferrara for taking over the program mid-season and getting them ready for this competition."
The senior was followed by senior Kelly-Ann Beckford, who in her second cross country meet, ran a 22:21.7 time to finish 32nd in a field of 90-plus. Juniors Macie Ellis and Sondos Moursy finished third and fourth for Houston in 22:34.6 and 22:44.8, respectively. Sophomore Daniela Castillo crossed as Houston's fifth finisher in 23:21.3.
As a team, the Cougars finished seventh overall, the best team finish since 2018.
On the men's side, senior Brandon Seagreaves finished first for Houston once again, crossing the finish line 32nd overall in 25:19.2. Seagreaves has led the men's team in all five meets this season.
The El Paso, Texas, native paced fellow scoring Cougars, freshman Miles Cox (26:08.6), Devin Vallejo-Bannister (26:09.4), Branch Cox (26:25.3) and Brycen Pitre (26:57.8).
UP NEXT
The Cougars will gear up for the NCAA South-Central Region Championships in College Station, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 11.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
Meyer made history at the conference championships, posting All-Conference honors by finishing 12th overall in 21 minutes, 23.5 seconds. Entering the meet, no female Cougar student-athlete had earned All-Conference honors at The American Conference Championships, with the best individual finish coming in 2014 – 16th place by Ebony White in 21:43 at the same course in Tulsa.
"Today was a good day for the lady Coogs," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Will Blackburn said.
"Claire Meyer had the highest female finish since Houston has been in The American and the women did a good job competing. The men fought hard, and we will continue to improve and grow both cross programs moving forward in the Big 12 Conference. I appreciate Coach Andy Ferrara for taking over the program mid-season and getting them ready for this competition."
The senior was followed by senior Kelly-Ann Beckford, who in her second cross country meet, ran a 22:21.7 time to finish 32nd in a field of 90-plus. Juniors Macie Ellis and Sondos Moursy finished third and fourth for Houston in 22:34.6 and 22:44.8, respectively. Sophomore Daniela Castillo crossed as Houston's fifth finisher in 23:21.3.
As a team, the Cougars finished seventh overall, the best team finish since 2018.
On the men's side, senior Brandon Seagreaves finished first for Houston once again, crossing the finish line 32nd overall in 25:19.2. Seagreaves has led the men's team in all five meets this season.
The El Paso, Texas, native paced fellow scoring Cougars, freshman Miles Cox (26:08.6), Devin Vallejo-Bannister (26:09.4), Branch Cox (26:25.3) and Brycen Pitre (26:57.8).
UP NEXT
The Cougars will gear up for the NCAA South-Central Region Championships in College Station, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 11.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
– UHCougars.com –
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