Cross Country Opens Season at Cardinal Invitational

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's and women's cross country teams opened up their seasons when they competed in the Cardinal Invitational on Saturday morning at the Wes Fuhrman '05 Trails at Long Lane Farm.

The event, which was hosted by Wesleyan University, featured a 5k women's race and a 6k men's race. The men finished in sixth place overall, as Wesleyan took the top team spot, followed by New Haven, Fitchburg State, the University of Saint Joseph, Western Connecticut, and the Mariners. The women came in fifth as a team, as the Cardinals once again claimed the top spot. New Haven was again second, followed by Fitchburg State, the University of Saint Joseph, and Mitchell.

Alexander Kermath of Wesleyan was the top male finisher, completing the 6k race in 19:24.3. Freshman Jonathan Hecker (Falls Church, Virg.) paced Mitchell with a time of 24:19, good for 40th overall in his collegiate debut. Junior Gerjuan Tyus (New London, Conn.) was the next Mitchell runner to cross the finish line, coming in at 31:07.1, 56th overall. CJ Bradley (West Babylon, N.Y.), Zion Huntley (District Heights, Md.), Tim O'Hayre (Hull, Mass.), and Xavier Haney (Montville, Conn.) rounded out the pack. Bradley came in 59th with a time of 34:13.3, Huntley was 60th with a time of 34:23.2, O'Hayre was 61st with a time of 35:22.1, and Haney finished 61st with a time of 37:34.2.

On the women's side, Jordan Walter of Wesleyan was claimed the top spot in the 5k race, crossing the finish line in 19:59.7. Freshman Inonda Peterson (Houston, Tx.) was the top finisher for Mitchell, completing the race in 27:04.8. Katelyn Lipsky (Plantsville, Conn.) and Shelly Ramos (Philadelphia, Penn.) came in 25th and 26th place respectively with times of 31:49.5 and 35:11.9, while Gabrielle Ocasio (39:12.3) was 30th overall and Anna Kate Kochansky (48:22.2) was 33rd.

The Mariners will race next on Saturday, September 16th, when they attend the Blazer Classic hosted by Elms College.