Men Victorious, Women Second in Regular Season Finale

Friday, October 30

Macon, Ga.

5:00 PM

Mercer University

Mercer Invitational

Photo by: Ben Murray

Men Victorious, Women Second in Regular Season Finale

10/30/2020 7:54:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Josiah Jaqua led the Mercer men to their first win of the season.

By: Kraig Doremus

MACON, Ga. – Josiah Jaqua and Reece Cato finished first and second to lift the Mercer men to a victory in Friday's regular season finale, while the women came home second behind Ashley McMahon's sixth-place effort.

MEN'S RACE (8K)
Jaqua's time of 26:36.80 led all runners, and his teammate Cato did not finish far behind, turning in a 26:46.81 in only his second collegiate race. After Chattanooga's Jonathan Boyd took third, Rob Zell (26:52.36) came home fourth, giving the Bears three runners in the top-five. Josh Kraver was the fourth Mercer runner to cross the line, placing 10^th with a time of 27:18.52. Fuad Batteh also (12^th overall) scored for the Bears with a time of 27:29.06.

MEN'S RESULTS

PLACE	NAME		TIME
1		Josiah Jaqua	26:36.80
2		Reece Cato	26:46.41
4		Rob Zell	26:52.36
10		Josh Kraver	27:18.52
12		Fuad Batteh	27:29.06
14		Mikey Patterson	27:40.11
22		Chris French	28:15.88
27		Dalton Hollis	29:09.61
29		Camden Abrams	29:36.55

COACH JOSH HAYMAN QUOTABLE
"This win was huge for the men and a great momentum builder as we prepare for the SoCon Championships. Josiah ran an incredible race, and I'm thrilled that he finished first. Our freshmen guys have truly stepped up with some great times, and it was great to defend our home course tonight."

WOMEN'S RACE
McMahon, Zoe Sanchez and Marina Van Sickle were the first three Bears across the finish line for the fourth consecutive race this season. McMahon (19:16.03) and Sanchez (19:29.70) both finished in the top-10, crossing the line sixth and eighth respectively. Van Sickle narrowly missed out on a top-10, finishing 11^th with a time of 19:51.22. Giulia Giorgi and Whitney Johnson were the final two Mercer runners to score. Giorgi crossed the finish line in 15^th, clocking in at 19:56.65, and Johnson was 20^th with a time of 20:58.58.

WOMEN'S RESULTS (5K)

PLACE	NAME		TIME
6		Ashley McMahon	19:16.03
8		Zoe Sanchez	19:29.70
11		Marina Van Sickle	19:51.22
15		Giulia Giorgi	19:56.65
20		Whitney Johnson	20:58.58
24		Bri Teegarden	21:26.44
25		Jerrica Hanson	21:30.66
27		Bella Rhone	22:06.72

COACH JOSH HAYMAN QUOTABLE
"First, we have to give credit to Samford, they ran a great race. For us, Ashley continues to be the picture of consistency, turning in great times week-after-week. Zoe and Marina have continued to be leaders; we truly had an impressive showing tonight. I am proud of the team for their determination and how well they ran against some great teams from the SoCon. We're looking forward to the conference championships on our home course."

UP NEXT
On Nov. 21, for the first time as members of the Southern Conference, the Bears will host the league's championships. The meet will take place at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course with times to be announced.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Cross Country, follow the team at @MercerXCTF (Twitter), /mercerxctf (Facebook) and @mercerbearsxctf (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.