XC Opens Season at Mitchell Invitational

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Johnson & Wales University took home both the men's and women's titles at the 2019 Mitchell XC Invitational on Saturday morning on the campus of Mitchell College.

In the men's race, the Wildcats placed five runners in the top 10 to finish with 30 points. The University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) finished as runner-up with 65 points while Dean College (80), Elms College (82), Lesley University (121) and Mitchell (152) rounded out the field.

Saint Joseph's David Kavanugh was the first to cross the finish line, covering the 5k course in a time of 17:34.5. Elms' Ricky Elmer was close behind at 17:39.1 to finish as runner-up.

Things were much tighter on the women's side as both JWU and Elms finished with 41 points. The Wildcats were awarded the team title by virtue of a sixth-place runner tiebreaker. Saint Joseph (71), Lesley (114), Dean (114) and Mitchell (155) completed the field.

Dean's Lara Jacobs ran the 5k race in a time of 21:50.8 to earn medalist honors. Lesley's Kayla Ranere finished as runner-up with a time of 22:05.0.

Mitchell's highlights included a top-10 finish by newcomer Evan Carney, who placed ninth overall in a time of 18:16.3. Grace Burns paced the Mitchell women and finished 25th with a time of 27:17.1.

Mitchell will next compete at the Blazer Classic Invitational on Saturday, September 21 at 10 a.m.