Cross Country Places Fifth at Spider Alumni Open

Saturday, August 31

Mechanicsville, Va.

9 a.m.

James Madison University

Spider Alumni Open

8/31/2024 12:00:00 PM | Cross Country

Women's 4K Results Photo Gallery

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – James Madison cross country ran as a pack to finish fifth out of 14 scoring teams in their season opener at Richmond's Spider Alumni Open 4K on Saturday Morning at Pole Green Park.

JMU tallied 175 points (33-34-35-36-37) with six person-best efforts, just 23 points behind George Mason (152). Virginia took home the team win with 19 points, followed by William & Mary (57) and Richmond (102). UVA's Gillian Bushee won the 4,000-meter race in 13:31.1 out of 175 finishers.

Quoting Head Coach Rebekah Ricksecker
"I'm very happy with our team's execution of the race plan. Today's goal was to work together with some pack running and to push and pull each other throughout the race. We improved from last year's 10th-place finish to fifth this year. It was a great opener and an excellent setup for the rest of the season."

How It Happened

The tight-knit pack was led by junior Katherine Lawson who finished in 15:07.2 for 33rd, followed closely behind by senior Sofia Terenziani (34th – 15:07.4), sophomore Kristin Giordano (35th – 15:07.6), freshman Kylie Brooks (36th – 15:07.7) and junior Faithe Ketchum (37th –15:08.7).
In addition to Brooks, freshmen Madison Cole (50th – 15:23.6), Faith Ford (86th – 15:57.5), Merrick Mock (88th – 15:58.3), Carol-Anne Garrett (92nd – 16:05.5), Julia Fabiato (97th – 16:10.4) and Grace Tate (106th – 16:38.7) all made their collegiate debuts.
JMU's scorers totaled 1:15:33 with an average time of 15:08.

JMU Runners
33. Katherine Lawson – 15:07.2
34. Sofia Terenziani – 15:07.4
35. Kristin Giordano – 15:07.6 (PR)
36. Kylie Brooks –15:07.7
37. Faithe Ketchum – 15:08.7 (PR)
44. Alayna Gifford – 15:17.5 (PR)
50. Madison Cole – 15:23.6
70. Sarah Cestare – 15:30.6 (PR)
86. Faith Ford – 15:57.5
88. Merrick Mock – 15:58.3
91. Elizabeth Rainey – 16:01.7 (PR)
92. Carol-Anne Garrett – 16:05.5
97. Julia Fabiato – 16:10.4
106. Grace Tate – 16:38.7
126. Caroline Morley – 17:07.9 (PR)
146. Sierra Puleo – 17:56.9

Up Next
The Dukes and alumni will gather at James Madison's Montpelier in Orange, Va. for the Purple & Gold Alumni Classic on Saturday, Sept. 14. The 5K walk/run is scheduled for 10 a.m. Participants can register here. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 4.