CENTRAL, S.C. – With senior Abigail Bozarth winning the women's race and freshman Logan Horning claiming individual honors on the men's side and Trojan runners combining to claim 13 of the top 17 spots, the Anderson men's and women's cross country teams opened the season by winning the Southern Wesleyan Warrior Invitational, Friday night.
With Trojan runners capturing the top five spots and seven of the top nine slots, the Anderson women cruised to first place over the 5K course, with the host Warriors finishing second. Bob Jones finished third, with Warren Wilson in the fourth spot. Erskine and Wesleyan College rounded out the six-team field.
Bozarth won the event by crossing the finish line in a time of 19:59.8, while newcomer Melea Sangl finished second in a time of 20:27.0. Sophomore Olivia Rish (20:44.8) claimed third, with senior Maddie Buddenberg (20:52.6) finishing fourth. Freshman Kamryn Osterbind finished fifth in a time of 21:11.5, with junior Martha Coleman bringing home seventh place in a time of 21:25.5.
Sophomore Hannah Beach (21:34.8) and junior Emily Olson (23:47.7) finished ninth and 22nd, respectively, with freshman Sara Pepper (23:52.1) rounding out the Trojan contingent in 24th place.
Horning led the Trojans to first place by winning his first collegiate event in a time of 22:02.7 over the four-mile course. Bob Jones University was a distant second, while Southern Wesleyan claimed third place. Spartanburg Methodist finished fourth to round out the field.
Sophomore Ben Clark crossed the finish line in third place in a time of 22:16.8, with classmate Phillip Quillen (22:41.3) claiming fourth place. Freshman Derek Hildebrand (23:21.9) and sophomore Matthew Burgess (23:24.3) finished eighth and ninth, respectively.
Junior Luke Horne (23:45.4) was 13th, with freshmen Brandon Wilson (24:08.4) and Thomas Sutcliffe (24:15.3) finishing 18th and 19th, respectively. Sophomore David Rolon claimed 22nd place in a time of 24:24.8 and sophomore Hayden Tuten finished 23rd in a time of 24:28.0.
Anderson will get back on the course, Saturday Sept. 29, at the North Georgia Cross Country Invitational.
