Cross Country Set for Season Opener at the Buccaneer Open

Photo by: CCU Photography

8/31/2023 10:00:00 AM | Track & Field/Cross Country

CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina men's and women's cross country teams begin their 2023 fall schedule with the first of four regular season meets Friday, Sept. 1, at the Buccaneer Open in Charleston, S.C.

The Chanticleers last competed in Charleston, in what was formerly known as the Charleston Southern Invitational, back in 2001 where the women's team took home first in the 4k race and the men's team finished third in the 6k event.

The Chants were scheduled to participate in the 2019 Buccaneer Open, but due to inclement weather concerns, both races were canceled.

The women's roster features seven incoming freshmen making their CCU debuts this weekend in Megan Dolan, Eliana Duclos, Olivia Goeser, Mary Kathryn Huddleston, Addison Laughlin, Erin McQuitty and Katelyn Porter.

Returning for the Chants this season are senior Molly Jones, juniors Tiarra Smith, Amilia Wise-Sweat and Ellie Wolski and sophomores Taylor Houston and Ella Lehmann.

Entering what is now her fourth year with the Chants, Jones, who was the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year and Individual Champion, comes into the new year fresh off an All-Sun Belt First-Team and a NCAA Division I Southeast All-Region nod.

Wolski finished in the top-25 on four separate occasions last fall, and was recorded as the team's second-best overall finisher by the end of the season.

The men's team is led by senior transfers Nehemiah Cionelo and Garrett Ricardo and juniors Jack Benoit, Ethan Blackwelder, Tomas Duncan, Julian John, Trey Kraimer and George Werner Jr.

Along with Cionelo and Riccardo, who transferred from New Mexico and Charleston Southern, respectively, four freshmen will make their CCU debuts, including Jackson Brungart, Sean Clegg, Adam Groves and Sterling Sellier.

The women's 4k event will start at 9 a.m. ET, followed by the men's 6k event at 9:45 a.m. ET.

A link to the live results can be found on the Cross Country schedule page at www.GoCCUSports.com.

For complete coverage of CCU men's and women's cross country, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalTFXC (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com

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