Columbia, S.C. – The Coker Cross Country Teams opened their 2008 season by running in the Gamecock Invitational on Friday afternoon. As the defending Division II champions, the Cobra women were marked runners, and fell to third place behind UNC-Pembroke and Catawba, but Kendyl Seawright (Manalapan, NJ) was able to take first place as an individual. The men’s team was unable to place as a team, as only four runners where able to compete.

Seawright broke her own school record, finishing the 5K race in a time of 19:40, Kendyl was followed by Shannon Townley (Anniston, AL) who placed 13th with a time of 22:23. Freshman Caitlyn Driscoll (Grand Island, NY) placed 21st with a time of 23:15 and Alex Ochoa came in with a time of 24:00. Amy Jones was next with a time of 25:07, while Nicole Coke finished with a time of 26:07 and Angela Williams rounded out the team with a time of 26:09.

On the men’s side, Michael Murphy (Peekskill, NY) finished 9th with a time of 16:57 in the 5K race, followed by Adam Green (Easley, SC) had a time of 18:21. Austin McJunkin (Walhalla, SC) came in at 21:29, while Chase Horton (Bethune, SC) came in at 21:34.

The Cobra runners return to the course on Saturday, September 6, as they travel to the UNC-Pembroke Invitational for their first meet under the leadership of Coach Keith Solverson.