Tech’s cross country team competed at the Bulldog Cross Country Invitational in Athens, Ga., this past weekend to open the season. The Jackets started the year strong, placing second in both the men’s and women’s events.
Georgia, ranked 28th in the country, came in first in both events and the Jackets beat out Mercer, which took third. Runners from Campbell and Atlanta Track Club also competed in the event.
The Jacket’s men’s team was lead by sophomore Jeremy Greenwald, who took sixth place with an eight kilometer time of 26 minutes and 49.68 seconds. In total, seven Tech men placed in the top 25 and had an average time of 27 minutes and 8.61 seconds. Senior leader Shawn Roberts finished 12th.
The Bulldogs took first place in the men’s event with a total of 15 points, Tech took second with 53 points, and Mercer had 85 points.
Sophomore Katie Townsend completed the five kilometer course in 17 minutes 30.80 seconds for sixth place, the fastest of the Tech women. Senior Mary Kate DuBard finished six seconds after Townsend to clinch seventh place. The combined team averaged 17 minutes and 56.86 seconds around the course.
The men’s and women’s teams will compete at the Virginia Tech Invitational in Blacksburg, Va. on Sept. 14.