Cross Country Opens Season With UVa Duals

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Aug. 29, 2014

EARLYSVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s and women’s cross country teams opened the 2014 season with competition Friday at the UVa Duals at Panorama Farms. The Cavalier men’s team went 4-0 at the meet, downing Florida State, Duke, Liberty and Norfolk State. The women were 3-2, defeating James Madison, Liberty and Norfolk State, but falling to Florida State and Duke.

The Cavaliers had three of the top four finishers on the men’s side, with Mike Marsella (Hope Valley, R.I.) winning the 4K race and Henry Wynne (Westport, Conn.) finishing second. Ed Schrom (Harrisburg, Pa.) was fourth overall, while Jack St. Marie (Westlake, Ohio) and Zach Herriott (Kansas City, Mo.) closed out the scoring five.

“We were happy to start out the season with a victory,” said men’s head coach Pete Watson. “We ran our middle distance guys and sat out our top runners. It was an important for Mike to see that he can run on the grass. He is certainly getting stronger.”

The women’s team was led by Brooke Grice (Columbia, S.C.), who finished 14th overall. Audrey Batzel (Virginia Beach, Va.), Shannon Malone (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Kathleen Stevens (Blacksburg, Va.) and Kendall Cowne (Chantilly, Va.) also competed for the Cavaliers.

“It was a good start to the season in terms of the training week and a controlled effort for many today,” said women’s head coach Todd Morgan. “I am happy where the group is starting the season.”

The Cavaliers will return to action on Sept. 26 as they host the Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational.