(Clinton, Miss) The Loyola University New Orleans men’s and women’s cross country team competed in the Choctaw Open at the Choctaw Trails Saturday morning.

For the second consecutive meet, Annie Hills led the Wolf Pack. She finished the 5,000 meter course in 20th place in a time of 20:31. Francesca Vaccaro followed in 21st just one second behind her Loyola teammate. Other competitors for the Pack included Denise Powell (31st place, 21:07), Elizabeth Gienger (40th place, 21:24), Emma Larson (44th place, 21:41), Elysia Pendezec (68th place, 23:00), Raquel Derganz-Baker (73rd place, 23:22), Jessica Williams (74th place, 23:31).

The women’s team finished fifth in the college division with a total score of 154 points, 26 points ahead of conference rival William Carey.

Paul Freese finished the 8,000 meter meet in eighth place with a time of 27:37 to lead the Wolf Pack. Jonathan Malbrue was next over the line for Loyola in 12th place in 27:42. Henry Gerbracht completed the race in 25th place in 29:01. Other competitors for Loyola included Kenny Tsao (34th place, 29:21), Mike Corso (47th place, 29:46), Chris Graugnard (55th place, 30:09), Galen Westerfield (56th place, 30:15), and Peyton Bock (69th place, 31:53). Loyola finished in fifth place in the team standings with 120 points.

In a final tune up prior to the SSAC Championships, Loyola will travel to the Sand Shark Invitational in Bluffton, South Carolina on October 20.

Nicholls Press Release:

CLINTON, Miss. – The Nicholls State University men's and women's cross country teams returned to action after a week off and put on a strong performance at the Choctaw Open Saturday morning as the Nicholls women finished second while the men had three runners place in the top 35 individuals in the meet.

In easily the largest meet of the year for both squads that featured 26 collegiate teams, the women's team finished second in the team standings with 52 total points, after having three runners finish in the top ten behind overall winner South Alabama who had 31 points. The men's team finished seventh with 180 points as South Alabama won with 17 points.

The Colonel women were paced by sophomore Tessni Carruthers who was one of three athletes to set a personal record on the day, finishing second overall individually in 17:54.28. The time was not only a personal record but a new school record in the 5K by nearly ten seconds. Jackie White also set a new personal best, finishing in 19:14.88 finishing sixth overall, moving her up to sixth all-time in the distance. Sarah Pressleyfinished eighth in 19:16.11 netting her best time and placing seventh all-time in school history.

Sebie O'Neill was the fourth Nicholls runner to set a new personal best time, finishing 19th in 28:15.92, followed by Kane Daigle who finished 26th in 29:12.29 and Reece Vitale 32nd in 30:00.28.

The Nicholls women were rounded out by Emily Charlesworth who finished 12th in 20:04.13, Ashley Johnson's 24th place finish in 21:05.76, Emily Carerre's 28th place finish in 21:57.80 and Victoria Williams' 30th place finish in 21:57.80 for Colonels who finished in the top 30 on the day.

Maria Mondello finished in 23:24.90, Terrian Gauff finished in 24:47.26 and Alexandra Martin finished in 25:05.71 to round out the Colonel runners on the day.

The Nicholls men's cross country team will be back in action next week taking part in the Northwestern State Demon Invitational while the women will prepare for the Southland Conference meet later this month.

Southeastern Press Release:

CLINTON, Miss. – Joseph LeGrange led the Southeastern Louisiana men's cross country team to a fourth-place finish Saturday at the Choctaw Open.

The junior from Baton Rouge, La., placed 11th overall and turned in the Lions' best 8K time (27:14.04) this season.

Freshman Harry Wiggins (27:36.08) finished 19th while Kyle Rudolph (27:57.30), Matt Mouton (28:34.33) and Joseph Edwards (28:58.49) all finished in the top-50 at the meet hosted by Mississippi College.

The Lady Lions finished 12th as a team, led by senior Lindsey Toups (20:51.83). Toups finished 46th overall, just ahead of freshman Leticia Shaban (20:52.85) who placed 48th.

Southeastern competes next in the Southland Conference Championships Oct. 26 in Beaumont, Texas.


Southeastern Lions
11 Joseph LeGrange            5:28.8   27:14.04   11  
19 Harry Wiggins                   5:33.2   27:36.08   19  
31 Kyle Rudolph                    5:37.5   27:57.30   31  
42 Matt Mouton                       5:44.9   28:34.33   42  
48 Joseph Edwards              5:49.8   28:58.49   47  
58 Jesse McDavitt                 5:52.8   29:13.59   56  
99 Tyler Waggenspack         6:10.9   30:43.41   95  

Southeastern Lady Lions
46 Lindsey Toups               6:43.0   20:51.83   46  
48 Leticia Shaban              6:43.3   20:52.85   48  
69 Bethany Burst                6:58.9   21:41.30   68  
70 Ashley Pfantz                6:59.0   21:41.59   69   
95 Jennifer Ernst                7:19.5   22:45.42   91  
99 Katie Neil                        7:22.3   22:54.12   95  
112 Emily Pevey                  7:31.7   23:23.10  107
                                                                                 

Men's Team Scores                                   
   1 South Alabama   26:25.15                                                    
   2 McMurry                27:39.45                                                    
   3 Louisiana Tech  27:53.50                                                    
   4 SE Louisiana     28:04.05                                                    
   5 Blue Mountain    28:25.72                                                    
   6 William Carey    28:05.35                                                    
   7 Texas-Tyler        28:29.60                                                    
   8 Grambling         28:33.39                                                    
   9 Loyola-NO         28:41.93                                                    
  10 Millsaps           28:47.47                                                    
  11 Victory               29:16.54                                                    
  12 Miss. College   29:09.87                                                    
  13 UA-Pine Bluff   30:31.05                                                    
  14 AU-Montgomery   30:26.26                                                    
  15 Alcorn State    30:36.86                                                    
  16 Nicholls State  32:54.39                                                    
  17 Belhaven        30:40.07                                                    
  18 Texas-Dallas    31:42.61                                                    
  19 Freed-Hardeman  32:05.76                                                    
  20 Jackson State   34:21.84                                                    
  21 Southern        35:55.08                                                    
  22 Tougaloo        34:40.80           
                                                                                 
Women's Team Scores                                   
   1 South Alabama   19:03.13                                                    
   2 West Florida    19:42.23                                                    
   3 Nicholls State  19:31.04                                                    
   4 McMurry         20:15.58                                                    
   5 Miss. College   20:19.54                                                    
   6 Alcorn State    20:36.05                                                    
   7 Blue Mountain   20:40.64                                                    
   8 Loyola-NO       21:03.51                                                    
   9 Jackson State   21:10.56                                                    
  10 Millsaps        21:22.68                                                    
  11 William Carey   21:20.84                                                    
  12 SE Louisiana    21:34.60                                                    
  13 Texas-Tyler     21:34.00                                                    
  14 Texas-Dallas    22:24.47                                                    
  15 UA-Pine Bluff   22:59.72                                                    
  16 Freed-Hardeman  23:08.05                                                    
  17 Hinds CC        23:18.60                                                    
  18 Victory         23:57.29                                                    
  19 Tougaloo        24:19.09                                                    
  20 AU- Montgomery  26:45.27                                                    
  21 Rust            39:51.23