INFO | Royals Challenge results, powered by AthleticLIVE
 
Charlotte, N.C.----The No. 1 Wingate University men's cross country team finished fifth in the 27-team Royals Cross Country Challenge Gold Division Friday. In addition, the No. 1 Bulldogs took second place in the 18-team Royals XC Challenge Blue Division.
 
Sophomore Charlie Kyberd led the defending South Atlantic Conference, Southeast Region and NCAA national champions, posting a season-best 8K time of 24:52.2. Queens University of Charlotte hosted the Royals Challenge at McAlpine Creek Park.
 
Meet Information
Royals Challenge Gold Division
 
Top five teams: Milligan (70), Catawba (120), Augusta (131), Furman (173) and Wingate (182).
Individual finishers: 248 student-athletes representing 27 schools
School breakdown: 5 NCAA Division I, 16 NCAA Division II, 2 NCAA Division III, 3 NAIA, 1 NJCAA
Location: McAlpine Creek Park (pancake course), Charlotte, North Carolina 

Inside the 8K results
- Kyberd was Wingate's top Gold Race finisher Friday, taking 24th place
- Junior Izan Rodriguez took 27th place with his personal-best 24:54.1 8K
- Virginia Union sophomore Abel Kipkemboi won the Gold Race (24:11.1)
- Wingate freshman Rolando Cabrera finished third in the Blue Race Friday
- Cabrera posted a personal-best 8K time of 25:44.4
- Freshman Victor Gervais was Wingate's next Blue Race finisher (26:28.4)
- SCAD Savannah freshman Vaclav Herbs won the Blue Race (25:35.7)
- On the team charts, Augusta won the Blue Division with 30 points
- Wingate was second in the Blue Division with 93 points
 
Up Next for the No. 1 Wingate Bulldogs
 
Wingate travels to Charlottesville, Virginia Friday, October 16 for the Panorama Farms Invitational, hosted by the University of Virginia Cavaliers. The Bulldogs host the postseason SAC meet Saturday, November 7 at the WU Cross Country Facility.