Coker Women's Cross Country Wins Francis Marion Invitational, Men Finish Runner-Up

FLORENCE, S.C. – The Coker College women's cross country team took home the championship trophy at the Francis Marion Invitational on Friday (Oct. 24), while the men's cross country team brought home the second place trophy.

All five of the runners on the ladies side registered top ten finishes. Shauntel Smullen once again led the charge with a second place finish and a 5k time of 18:55. Mercy Muhuhu was next with a third place finish and a time of 20:12. The trio of Vanessa Pina, Lisa Foster and Kirsten Sanders crossed the line in seventh, eighth and ninth position. Pina came with a time of 22:37. Foster finished with a time of 22:40. Sanders rounded out the ladies squad with a time of 22:47.

The men were led by the trio of Noah Cook, James Gregory and Nick Mascardo who finished in second, third and fourth place. Cook led the Cobras with a time of 16:17. Gregory was next with a time of 16:45. Mascardo crossed the line with a time of 16:55. Evan Alcorn came in ninth with a time of 18:19. Peter Kemboi was right behind with a time of 18:20 which was good enough for a tenth place finish. Tre Williams and Christopher Andre rounded out the Coker men's runners with times of 19:50 and 19:56 which were good enough for 17^th and 18^th place results.

The Navy and Yellow will be back in action on Nov. 8 as they travel to Salisbury, N.C. for the South Atlantic Conference cross country championship.

Story by Aaron Beebe '15 sports information department intern.