By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
Tennessee Cross Country Invitational
Date: Friday, Sept. 1, 2023
Time: 7:00 a.m. CT (women – 5K) & 7:30 a.m. CT (men – 8K)
Location: Cherokee Farm Cross Country Course | Knoxville, Tenn.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech cross country teams will officially kick off their 2023 seasons Friday morning at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn. Hosted by Tennessee, the event will take place at the Cherokee Farms Cross Country Course.
The women's 5K will begin at 7:00 a.m. CT with the men's 8K to follow at approximately 7:30 a.m.
The Golden Eagle women's squad enters 2023 following its second top-three showing in as many seasons at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, looking to build on the momentum. The purple and gold welcome back four of the top five finishers at the event for this year's campaign.
Back to lead the Tech squad is All-OVC Second Team honoree Helen Pacurariu-Nagy, who placed 11th at the OVC Championships last season. Rahab Sawe enters her fifth season with the program after narrowly missing All-OVC honors last year as well. Also returning from Tech's top-five finishers last season are Cookeville native Maddie Long and Sevierville, Tenn. native Chloe Wade.
Fellow returners for the 2023 season on the women's side are Emma Bradford, Ava Costello, Lauryn Jackson, Kendall Johnson, Makenna Merkley, Breanna Roy, and Taylor Ward. Rounding out the Golden Eagle roster are freshmen Makaleigh Jessee, Riley Knoyle, Riley Spangler, and Hayley Stegall.
The Tech men's team also delivered a solid performance at the OVC Championships in 2022, placing fourth overall. Eight of the squad's top nine finishers at the league's event are back for the 2023 season.
Leading the returners are All-OVC First Team selections Miceal McCaul, who placed fifth at the OVC Championships, and All-OVC Second Team honoree Dominic Smith, who earned a 13th place showing. Also back for the experienced group are sophomores Nick Beattie, Carter Bradford, Robert Dawson, Chase Faudi, Clayton Kirkus, and Isaac Legault.
Joining the Golden Eagle men's unit for the 2023 season is junior James Hyland, a Dublin, Ireland native. The newest Tech runner made his way to Cookeville after transferring from McNeese.
Up Next
Following this weekend's race, the Golden Eagles will head further east for App State's Covered Bridge Open in Boone, N.C. on Friday, Sept. 15.
Photos by Emily Armstrong
