Forest, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg cross country runners swept the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Runner of the Week awards after competing at the Adidas XC Challenge and John McNichols Invite this past weekend. Sophomore Kayla Werner earned the ODAC Women's Runner of the Week and Chasen Hunt was awarded ODAC Men's Runner of the Week.

A 2023 All-American, Werner showed out at the Adidas XC Challenge in the women's 5k event, leading the Hornets with a 10th-place finish for 17:07.6. Werner stormed the course from start to finish and remained with the front of the field throughout the race, keeping close to DI competition.

Werner tallies her second ODAC Runner of the Week award after a stellar showing at the Liberty Challenge against her former teammates.

Chasen Hunt opened his 2024 season with a 24:37.5 10th-place finish in the 8k at the John McNichols Invite. The 2023 First-Team All-ODAC member fought near the front of the pack throughout the race and finished as the Hornets' first scorer. This weekend's race in Terre Haute marked the junior's first race since the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in May where he finished third in the men's 5k.

Werner's and Hunt's times represented the best efforts in the ODAC this season in their respective events. Werner set the season-record in the conference for the 5k while Hunt set the ODAC season-record for the 8k.

Next up on the cross country slate is the Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday, October 5. The Hornets hope to continue their strong start of the season into their next meet when they head north.

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