By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech cross country teams officially got the 2023 campaign underway Friday morning, competing at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational hosted by the Volunteers at Cherokee Farm Cross Country Course in Knoxville, Tenn.
Competing in the 3-mile run, the Golden Eagle women's squad placed third overall, paced by a familiar leader. Senior Helen Pacurariu-Nagy finished 19th overall in the field with a time of 18:01.6, kicking off her final year in the purple and gold with a solid start.
A trio of youngsters made their Tech debuts on the day, led by Makaleigh Jessee. Finishing 26th overall, the Abingdon, Va. Native clocked in at 18:34.5 to finish second among the Golden Eagle runners.
Fellow rookie Hayley Stegall sprinted to a finish of 19:12.3, placing 29th in the field and fourth among the Tech participants. Ranking sixth among the Golden Eagle racers was freshman Riley Knoyle, posting a time of 19:36.3 to finish 32nd.
Crossing the finish line third for the purple and gold was junior Chloe Wade. The Sevierville, Tenn. native built off her successful first year in Cookeville with a time of 19:06.7 to rank 28th overall. Rounding out Tech's scoring five was sophomore Ava Costello, building off her first go-around with the Golden Eagles by finishing fifth on the team and 31st in the event with a time of 19:24.7.
Veteran Rahab Sawe tallied a 33rd-place result behind a time of 19:36.5. Not far behind, Cookeville native Maddie Long turned in a time of 19:40.7 to finish 35th overall.
The Tech men's team also secured a third-place showing, competing in the 4-mile run. Coming as little surprise, junior Miceal McCaul topped the Golden Eagle unit while cracking the 21-minute mark with a time of 20:57.6 to place 23rd overall.
Forming a formidable one-two punch, senior Dominic Smith followed close behind his teammate. The Swansea, Wales native also earned a top-25 performance, clocking in at 21:08.9.
Making his Golden Eagle debut, McNeese transfer James Hyland enjoyed a solid first showing by placing 28th with a time of 21:36.2. Nearly matching his teammate to the second, veteran Chase Faudi crossed the finish line 29th, narrowly behind Hyland with a mark of 21:36.6.
Sophomore Isaac Legault turned in a time of 22:37.3 to round out Tech's five scorers on the day. Right behind was fellow sophomore Carter Bradford, producing a mark of 22:42.5.
Next on the docket for the Golden Eagles is the Covered Bridge Open, hosted by App State on Friday, Sept. 15. The event will take place in Boone, N.C. with the women opening the day at 9:00 a.m. CT and the men following at approximately 9:40 a.m.
Photos by TTU Cross Country
