Morehead, Ky. – Junior Kyle Embry finished second against a stacked field in Morehead State's season-opening competition at the eastern Kentucky Tri-Meet on Friday morning at the Elmwood Estate Course in Richmond, Ky. The three-team event included host eastern Kentucky as well as Kentucky.

It was the second time in his career that Embry led the Eagles at the meet (and sixth time overall), having also topped the team in the spring of 2021 after finishing seventh (in 19:31.00) when the race was a 6K. In last fall's competition, Embry was 12th in 16:16.18, with Garrett Watts as MSU's highest finisher, placing sixth in 15:47.94.

On Friday, Embry covered the 5K course in 15:44.00, the fastest time for an MSU runner at that distance since three team members posted sub-15:41 marks at the Eagle Opener on September 1, 2017 at the old Sunny Brook Golf Course.

Embry bested a tight pack that included Kentucky's Dylan Allen (15:45.00), who was third, Colonel Keeton Thornsberry (the 2021 spring champ, who did not run in the meet last fall) who was a quarter-second behind Allen, eKU's Griffin Staude in 14:45.50 and Kentucky's Aaron Withrow in 15:45.90. eastern Kentucky's Ahmed Kadri won the event in 15:39.00.

"My goal going into the race was to get into the top 10. I wanted to break up the scoring between UK and eKU and represent our team well," Embry said. "The first mile of the race was pretty conservative for all three teams. We came through (in) like 5:20. Then, mile two was a little faster around 5:12. I stayed with the front pack and then made my kick that last mile, finishing around 4:50ish."

However, there was a hiccup.

"Honestly, I miscounted my laps on the course and I thought I was on my last lap, but … I soon realized after I made my kick that I still had another lap. So, I just maintained my pace and ended up finishing second overall," Embry said. "I'm pretty happy with how our team performed today and I'm glad I was able to accomplish my goal … . I had to remind myself throughout the race to take the pressure off myself and have a God-centered mindset. Having the Lord define who I am and not my performance, helps me run free and happier."

MSU coach Clay Dixon was impressed with Embry's race.

"It was cool for Kyle to go with some good people and get second overall. He took the lead with a mile to go and spread it out. There were about 10 in that lead pack," he said.

Both the Eagle men and women finished third overall, despite the scoring only counting results head-to-head with each squad individually against the others.

The men registered 44 points against eastern Kentucky (which tallied 19) and 34 versus Kentucky (which collected 22). The host Colonels topped the Wildcats, 22 to 35. In the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's Southeast Region preseason rankings, eKU was seventh and UK ninth.

Sophomore Jacob Vogelpohl was second for the Morehead State men in 14th in 16:14.00. Sophomore Kyler Stewart was right behind in 15th in 16:15.00. Sophomore Wes Grogan followed in 17th in 16:19.00. Sophomore Peyton Fairchild was the fifth Eagle, claiming 19th in 16:33.00. Junior Jarrett Forrest (20th in 16:48.00), sophomore Justin Bland (21st in 16:53.00) and sophomore Toby Cook (22nd in 16:56.00) rounded out the top eight Eagle finishers.

Sixth-year student Josh Grogan claimed 23rd in 16:59.90, followed by sophomore Ethan Vance in 24th in 17:31.00, sophomore Austin Montgomery in 25th in 17:34.00, freshman Gavin Brock in 26th in 17:36.00, sophomore Sam Lucas in 27th in 18:09.00, redshirt sophomore Liam Dale in 28th in 18:10.00 and sophomore Alex Murray in 30th in 19:23.00. Redshirt sophomore Micah Gray also ran but did not finish.

"I was pretty pleased with the guys' team. We were in the same spot as last year," Dixon said. "Most people got a little bit better today. That's a good sign to see."

On the women's side, MSU posted 42 points while facing eKU (with the Colonels scoring 16) and 49 against the Wildcats (who finished with 15). UK upended the hosts in their head-to-head matchup 25 to 33. In the USTFCCCA's Southeast Region preseason rankings, UK was fourth and eKU was 12th.

Sophomore Lucy Singleton was the first Eagle across the line in the women's 4K race. She covered the distance in 15:04.00 to place 11th. It was the team's fastest time at that distance in at least 10 years, 16 seconds quicker than the top mark from 2021 and more than 21 seconds better than what she recorded at last year's eKU meet.

Sophomore Laikin Tarlton was the next Eagle, taking 14th in 15:30.00. Sophomore Isabella Copher followed in 16th in 15:47.00, with freshman Abby Taylor in 17th in 15:54.00 and freshman Christiana Brittian in 19th in 16:03.00. Sophomore Megan Bush followed closely behind in 20th in 16:04.00.

Junior Riliegh Owens was 22nd after being edged at the line by UK's Eliza Scoggin. Owens clocked a 16:13.50, with Scoggin coming in at 16:13 flat. Redshirt sophomore Hannah Hostetler was half a second behind Owens to place 23rd. Sophomore Cloe Copas (25th in 16:52.00), redshirt sophomore Jennifer Ramirez (26th in 16:52.50), freshman Kaylyn Holman (27th in 16:53.00), freshman Casey Skaggs (28th in 17:18.00), freshman Hope Harris (29th in 17:47.00), freshman Julia Douglas (30th in 18:23.00), freshman Natalie Curry (31st in 19:34.00) and freshman Emily Lowe (32nd in 19:41.00) rounded out the field.

eastern Kentucky's Grace Kilroy was the women's winner in 14:32.00, easily out-distancing Kentucky's Julz Williams (who was second in 14:42.00) and Ally Kruger (who was third in 14:42.50).

"The women were about what I expected. I would've liked to see Laikin and Isabella up with Lucy. We had a tough week of workouts and it was a tough course, but it's a warm-up meet and I'm not concerned about it," Dixon said. "It was a successful first meet. Christiana and Abby stepped up as our four and five.

"With four laps and sharp turns, it's hard to get into rhythm," Dixon continued. "It would be exciting to see them all up there with two regionally-ranked teams, but (overall) they were in a good spot."

Morehead State will be away from competition for two weeks, before traveling to East Lansing, Mich., for the Michigan State Spartan Invitational on Sept. 16.