McMahon, Mercer Women Win Season Opener

Saturday, September 19

Macon, Ga.

7:45 AM

Mercer University

Mercer/MGA Julis Johnson Invitational

Results (PDF)Results (Web)

9/19/2020 12:05:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Ashley McMahon's victory helped the Mercer women to a team win, while the men finished third

By: Kraig Doremus

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's cross country team opened the season with a win, while the men's program finished third in the Julius Johnson Invitational, which Mercer hosted in conjunction with the Middle Georgia State Knights.

WOMEN'S RACE (5K)
In the women's 5K, Ashley McMahon won the race with a time of 18:46.66. Three more Bears would register top-10 finishes with freshman Zoe Sanchez finishing seventh in her first collegiate meet (19:59.04) while Marina Van Sickle crossed the line in eighth (20:06.29) and Giulia Giorgi (20:30.18) rounded out the top-10. Freshman Jaycie Calvert placed 15^th, running the event in 21:03.75.

In addition to the five point scorers, Whitney Johnson completed her race in 21:17.89, the 17^th fastest time, while Bri Teegarden finished 20^th in her first event as a Bear with a time of 21:25.80.

The women's program recorded 41 points, narrowly defeating Georgia State (43 points). Valdosta State (80), Georgia Southern (81) and The Citadel (98) finished third through fifth.
The Bears had an impressive team average of 20:05.18.

WOMEN'S RESULTS
1.Ashley McMahon, 18:46.6
7. Zoe Sanchez, 19:59.04
8.Marina Van Sickle, 20:06.29
10. Giulia Giorgi, 20:30.18
15. Jaycie Calvert, 21:03.75
17 Whitney Johnson, 21:17.89
20. Bri Teegarden, 21:25.80

MEN'S RACE (8K)
The Mercer men ran an 8K with Josiah Jaqua's fourth-place showing leading the way. Jaqua finished the event in 27:37.81. Fuad Batteh and Vladi Zander-Velloso came in eighth and ninth respectively. Batteh ran a sub 28-minute race, while Zander-Velloso finished the contest in 28:19.40. Chris French crossed the line in 11^th with a time of 28:35.28. Three Bears – Rob Zell (29:27.53), Diego Lavieri Sosa (29:37.13) and Dalton Hollis (29:58.29) rounded out the top-20.

The men finished third with a team score of 50. Valdosta State swept the first three finishing positions and won the event with an overall score of 29 and 27:42.74 team average.

MEN'S RESULTS
4. Josiah Jaqua, 27:37.81
8. Fuad Batteh, 27:53.54
9. Vladi Zander-Velloso, 28:19.40
11. Chris French, 28:35.28
18. Rob Zell, 29:27.53
19. Diego Lavieri Sosa, 29:37.13
20. Dalton Hollis, 29:58.29

HEAD COACH JOSH HAYMAN QUOTABLES

ON A HOME MEET
"In a year with many questions we were excited to compete at all, especially at home. It was wonderful to run and was an exciting day."

ON ASHLEY MCMAHON'S WIN AND THE LADIES' PERFORMANCE
"It was an A-plus race. I was extremely impressed with their performance today. They ran well as a pack, and Ashley ran one of the best races I've seen her run. It was a great start to the season for them, and I can't wait to see what happens in these next two meets."

ON THE MEN'S RESULTS
"It wasn't the result we wanted, but the men put forth a solid effort today on the course regardless of the result. We will keep working hard in practice and are looking forward to our next meet."

UP NEXT
Both the men's and women's teams will run in the Florida State Invitational on October 2.

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.