Hecker Races to Second Place Finish at Mitchell Invitational

WATERFORD, Conn. – Freshman Jonathan Hecker placed second overall with a time of 17:45.9, as the Mitchell College men's and women's cross country teams competed against Dean College and the University of Saint Joseph on Friday evening at the 5K Mitchell Invitational at Stenger Farm Park.

Following his third place finish at the Blazer Classic, Hecker narrowly trailed Blue Jay junior Braeden Laframboise, who came in first overall with a time of 17:28.3. Mitchell freshman Zion Huntley also secured a top-10 spot, placing ninth overall with a time of 21:22.5. Gerjuan Tyus was not far behind Huntley, crossing the finish line in 22:06.5, while Tim O'Hayre (22:41), Joseph Hayes (25:05.6), Christopher Bradley (26:00.1), Weston Schumacher (31:52.9), and Raphael Vogt (32:04.2) rounded out the scoring for the Mariners. As a team, Mitchell placed in third, behind the first place Bulldogs and the Blue Jays.

For the second consecutive race, Mitchell freshman Inonda Peterson was the top women finisher for Mitchell with a time of 24:28.4. Right behind Peterson was senior Katelyn Lipsky, who crossed the finish line in 26:28.1, good for the third overall female. Michelle Ramos also finished in the top five, racing to a fifth place finish in 27:24.5, while Arrianna Stark (41:05.9) and Anna Kochansky (41:07.6) rounded out the finishers.

Blue Jay sophomore Faith Shores took first for the women in the 5k race, finishing with a time of 20:29.5.

The Mariners will return to action on Saturday, September 30th, when they travel for a meet at Hampshire College.