SPARTANBURG, S.C. --- The Tusculum University men's and women's cross country teams opened their 2023 seasons on Friday by competing in the Eye Opener at the Milliken Arboretum.

Tusculum's men finished 11th out of 18 schools with 322 points, while the Pioneer women were limited to just four competitors and did not score.

The Pioneers will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Walters State Invitational in Morristown.

MEN'S RECAP
Freshman Pau Valdepenas was Tusculum's top men's finisher as he navigated the 8-kilometer run in 26:00.1. Freshman Sam Shipp took 50th place in 26:35.6, followed by sophomore Jerry Ricker in 108th place with a career-best 8K time of 29:24.3. Junior Ryan Drysch took 126th place in 30:27.6, while freshman Simon Ray was Tusculum's fifth runner in 129th place at 30:48.1. Junior Landen Locklear was 155th overall for the Pioneers in 36:44.4.

Liberty had five runners in the top 10 and won the team title with 25 points, led by Tristian Merchant who won the men's race by 2.9 seconds over Victor Ndiwa of Clemson. Furman was second with 40 points, with Clemson in third at 70 points.

WOMEN'S RECAP
Senior Emily Coddington was the top finisher for the Pioneer women, clocking at 19.59.2 over the 5-kilometer course. Sophomore Inmaculada Delgado finished 89th overall in 20:11.4 while senior Judy Chellah took 157th place at 24:29.8. Sophomore Victoria Caliendo finished in 168th place with a time of 26:34.7.

Furman had five of the top seven finishers and won the women's team title with 25 points, followed by Clemson at 58 and Liberty at 82. Judy Kosgei of South Carolina was clocked at 16:52.6 and beat Gladys Chepngetich of Clemson to the line by 18.6 seconds to earn the race victory.