Press Release Written by Assistant Athletics Director Erin Harvey.
Salisbury, Md. – Racing against the largest field they have seen so far this season, both Wilmington University Cross Country squads finished fourth among 11 teams in the 29th Annual Don Cathcart Invitational hosted by Salisbury University at Winter Place Park on Saturday morning.
The women earned 109 points to finish fourth among the 11 ladies' squads, just two points behind third place winner Bridgewater College (Va.). Division II foe East Stroudsburg University was the champion, scoring 37 points, which was just ahead of host Salisbury (49). Virginia Wesleyan (127 points) and St. Mary's (Md.) rounded out the top six teams.
Graduate student Rachel Jones once again led the Wildcats, as she placed 11th overall in a time of 22:41.29. Right behind her was junior Gabrielle Brown, who finished the 6k course in a time of 23:08.33 which was good for 14th place. Classmate Tara Langan was the third Wilmington harrier to cross the line, as she placed 29th (earning 26 points) in a time of 24:11.03. The freshmen duo of Alexa Crowell (24:22.62) and Julia Merritt (24:47.76) rounded out the scorers for WilmU, placing 33rd overall (earning 27 points) and 38th (earning 31 points).
The final Wilmington finishers were senior Nicole Brevoort, who placed 41st overall in a time of 25:05.55, while sophomore Emily Kockott placed 46th overall in a time of 25:26.19. Freshman Tara McDonald ran 28:2.98 which was good for 73rd, while junior Victoria Crawford placed 93rd in a time of 31:43.85.
On the men's side, Wilmington scored 122 points to finish fourth behind champion and host Salisbury (28 points), East Stroudsburg (56 points), and Bridgewater (99 points). Christopher Newport (148 points) and Virginia Wesleyan (165 points) rounded out the top six.
Junior Mark Corrigan continued his torrid start to the season, as he was the first DII runner to cross the line. Corrigan placed 4thoverall in a time of 25:38.23 for the 8k distance. Johnathan Avila was the second Wildcat to finish, as the junior placed 17thoverall in a time of 26:31.08. Classmate Miguel Suero finished in a time of 26:48.58, which scored the Cats 22 points (23rdoverall), while freshman Jacob Puharic placed 35th overall (31 points), crossing in a time of 27:05.04. Freshman Sean Scandle was the final scorer for WilmU, placing 60th overall, but earning 48 points, as he finished his first collegiate race in a time of 28:27.00.
Rounding out the Wildcats were juniors Jayven Davis, who placed 99th (24:14.14) and Amani McMullen, who finished in 101stplace (34:57.35).
Wilmington has one more tune up before the CACC Championships, and the Wildcats will try to use that to their advantage, racing close to home at the University of Delaware's Blue & Gold Invite next Saturday morning. The UD race will be held at White Clay Creek State Park, a course that will play host to the conference championships later this month. Women begin the meet at 10:00 am, with the men's race to follow.