Wingate senior Nepolian Patel was named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference men's cross country Runner of the Week on Wednesday. Patel earned the honor for the first time in his distinguished career.
Patel won the men's 8K race at the Catawba Invitational Saturday with his triumphant time of 25:27.3. A student in Wingate's world-renowned School of Pharmacy, Patel's final time was only seven seconds off his collegiate personal best (25:20.8), achieved at the prestigious Disney Cross Country Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Oct. 10, 2015.
Patel and his Bulldog teammates opened the 2017 season in style, sweeping the team titles in the Catawba Invitational at the Salisbury Community Park. Patel earned his second Catawba Invitational individual title, as he won the 2015 event (on the same course) with his time of 26:40.
Next on the horizon for the Navy Blue and Vegas Gold-clad Wingate harriers is the Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational Friday in Newton, N.C. The event will serve as the pre-conference meet for the 2017 SAC championship event in October. Wingate will host the eighth annual Bulldog Stampede on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Wingate University Cross Country Facility.
