Coker Posts Pair of Top Ten Finishes at Eye Opener Invitational

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Coker men's and women's cross country teams brought home a pair of top 10 finishes in their season opening meet at the Eye Opener Invitational on Friday (Sept. 5). The men placed seventh out of 17 teams, the fourth best NCAA Division II team, while the women placed tenth out of 18 teams, the sixth best NCAA Division II team.

Leading the way for the men in the 8k event was Noah Cook with a 19^th place finish. The freshman posted a time of 28:13. Senior Dylan Bates followed close behind with a time of 28:20 and a 22^nd place finish. Sophomore James Gregory came in 35^th with a time of 29:25, while senior Nick Mascardo crossed the finish line at 29:25 in 38^th place. Freshman Evan Alcorn, sophomore Tre' Williams and freshman Christopher Andre rounded out the field for the Cobras with times of 32:11, 35:49 and 37:23, respectively.

In the women's race it was another freshman leading the way, Shauntel Smullen. Like her male counterpart, she also placed 19^th overall, posting a time of 20:05 in the 5k event. Sophomore Mercy Muhuhu posted a time of 21:19, followed by classmate Makeda Eley O'Reilly at 22:54. Junior Vanessa Pina came in at 22:56 and freshman Lisa Foster finished at 24:13. Closing out the runners for the Cobras was junior Naomi Watson with a time of 26:53. 

The Cobras will return to action in two weeks when they travel to Rock Hill, S.C. for the Winthrop Invitational on Sept. 20.