Brother Martin Opens Season With Runner-Up Finish at USM Invitational

Brother Martin Opens Season With Runner-Up Finish at USM Invitational

The Brother Martin Crusader cross country team opened its season with a second place finish at the 31^st Annual USM Invitational at Tatum Park in Hattiesburg, MS. The Crusaders were outpaced by McGill-Toolen of Mobile, 72-74. Baker High School was third with 93 points.

Nick Franco paced the Crusaders with a 5^th place finish, racing the 5k course in 16:03.85. Jared Allen finished close behind at 16:23.19, good enough for a 12^th place finish overall. Ben Dugas (19), Dylan Yates (21), and Michael Saacks (22) rounded out the scoring for the Crusaders. Avery Provenzano (31) and Michael Cusanza (36) completed the Top 7 for Brother Martin.

Behind strong finishes from Cameron Ellis (10) and Tim Aguirre (11), the Yellow Jackets of McGill-Toolen earned the narrow victory. McGill-Toolen placed four runners in the Top 16. Dan Drew of St. Paul’s Episcopal (AL) was the individual winner, finishing the 5k course in 15:50.46. The runners competed on a flat course in relatively mild weather, which explains the fast times in part. However, the course was said to have been a bit shy of 3.1 miles.

Brother Martin, along with local high schools Holy Cross and Metairie Park Country Day, are next in action September 10 at the Mobile Challenge of Champions in Alabama.