SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Presbyterian College men's and women's cross country teams both finished 16 at the 2010 Eye Opener on Saturday. The women's team was paced by freshman Alex Thomas, and senior Nicholas Baer led the men's team.
The women's team raced first and competed against 22 area colleges and universities. Thomas crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 20:19 to finish 43rd overall. Her time bested the school's record on the course by 32 seconds set by Lauren Bowers in 2008.
Finishing second for PC was junior Stephanie Newell in 90th place with a time of 22:14. Not far behind was fellow junior Sabrina Baker at 23:02. Sophomore Emily Witt finished well with a time of 23:36. Senior Natalie Parkman crossed the line at 24:29 with freshman Mary Kathryn Piontek close behind at 24:35, which was a 27 second personal record for the freshman.
"I'm very happy with how the women did today. We were all a little nervous and anxious about the first race of the year. But, our training has been strong, and we knew we were prepared. I'm think we all walked away from today with a smile on our faces," head coach Thad Palmer commented after the race.
UNC Charlotte won the women's team title with a low of 42 points and four of the top-ten finishers. The overall 5k winner was USC Upstate's Joan Tangwar in a time of 18:02.
In the men's 8k race, Baer crossed the line at 28:46 for 73rd place. Next was fellow senior Adam Harris at 29:22 and freshman Seth Warner at 29:28. Harris finished 86th and Warner 90th. Fellow freshman Richard Taylor also had an impressive first collegiate race. Taylor stopped the clock at 30:12. Not too far behind was yet another freshman for PC. Ryan Wasilewski finished with a time of 31:00 to round out the team's scoring five.
Junior Josh Morrisette finished with a time of 32:07. Close behind were junior Will Ruark and freshman Kevin Quan. Ruark crossed the line at 32:50 and Quan at 33:10. Sophomore Brian Trail finished with a time of 33:57.
"I was very pleased with how our men's team did today. The freshmen responded well to the competition and really got after it. We weren't afraid to push the tempo, and I feel we have a bright future in front of us, " Palmer also commented.
Furman claimed the men's team title with a low score of 40 points and four top-ten performers in the field of 20 schools. The men's 8k champion was USC Upstate's Gilbert Kemboi with a time of 24:13.
The Blue Hose will next compete at the Asics Invitational hosted by Winthrop University on September 18 in Rock Hill, S.C.
To view a clip from the race, click here.
