CARY, N.C. – The Coker College men's and women's cross country teams had strong showings on Saturday (Oct. 4) in the Great American Cross Country Festival. The women's squad brought home a third place finish, while the men brought home a fourth place finish.

The ladies were led by freshman Shauntel Smullen, whose 19:23 5k time was good enough for a fifth place finish and also a place in the Coker history books. Her time is now the best in Coker women's cross country history beating the previous record by nine seconds. Sophomore Mercy Muhuhu came in next with a time of 20:35. Freshman Lisa Foster and junior Vanessa Pina recorded times of 22:20 and 22:26, respectively. Senior Kirsten Sanders finished with a time of 23:14 and Naomi Watson crossed the line at 27:12 to round out the line up

The men were led by top eight finishes by Noah Cook and Dylan Bates. Cook, a freshman, set a new personal 8K record posting a time of 26:44 which was good enough for a seventh place finish. Bates, a senior was right on his heels with an eighth place finish and a time of 26:48. Junior Nick Mascardo and sophomore James Gregory recorded top 25 finishes with times of 27:50 and 27:57. Freshman Peter Kemboi and sophomore Christopher Andre rounded out the Navy and Yellow runners with times of 30:55 and 33:50.

Both teams will be back in action next Saturday (Oct. 11) at the Royals Challenge Invitational in Charlotte, N.C.

Story by Aaron Beebe '15 Coker sports information department intern