SPARTANBURG, S.C. --- The Tusculum women's cross country team finished seventh and the men's squad eighth at the Eye Opener Invitational, held Friday afternoon in hot and humid conditions at Milliken Park.
The Tusculum women placed seventh of the 14 NCAA Division II teams competing, while the men's squad posted an eighth place showing of the 14 DII schools in attendance.
In the men's meet, sophomore David Cooper led the charge as he finished 20th with an 8K time of 28:42. Lawson Burrow finished 38th with a time of 29:33 in his collegiate debut. Sophomores Kekona Soon (30:59) and Zachary Simpson (31:08) finished 68th and 71st, respectively, while senior Elijah Minter rounded out the TC scoring with his time of 32:51 (98th).
Freshman Paige Bible posted the best finish of the Tusculum women as she tallied a 35th-place showing with her 5K time of 22:08 in her first collegiate meet. Rookie Maggie Bernabei also had a solid debut in her TC debut as she placed 47th with a time of 22:32.
Senior Jenny Grant finished 62nd with a time of 23:08, while sophomore Ashley Gregg came in 95th at 24:39. Senior Kim Brown placed 99th with a time of 24:41, while freshman Allison Hall (105th - 24:53), sophomore Lakesa Hendrix (127th - 26:16) and sophomore Carol Hogan (138th - 27:58) wrap up the scoring for the Pioneers.
"Despite the tough conditions, I was pleased with our performance this afternoon in our season opener," said Tusculum coach Suzanne Byrd. "I am especially proud of how our freshmen performed today in their first collegiate competitions race."
The Pioneers return to action next Saturday (Sept. 8) when they compete at the Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational in Newton, N.C.
- TC -
Tusculum Men's Results (8th/14 teams)
Pl. Runner Time
20 David Cooper 28:42
38 Lawson Burrow 29:33
68 Kekona Soon 30:59
71 Zachary Simpson 31:08
98 Elijah Minter 32:51
Tusculum Women's Results (7th/14 teams)
Pl. Runner Time
35 Paige Bible 22:08
47 Maggie Bernabei 22:32
62 Jenny Grant 23:08
95 Ashley Gregg 24:39
99 Kim Brown 24:41
105 Allison Hall 24:53
127 Lakesa Hendrix 26:16
138 Carol Hogan 27:58
