SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Furman women's cross country team opened the 2023 season Friday with a victory at USC Upstate's Eye Opener at Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg, S.C.  The Paladin men finished as runner-up to conclude the day's races.

The Paladin women scored 25 points for the victory in the 5K race.  Clemson finished second with 58 points, followed by Liberty in third with 82 points.  South Carolina scored 83 points for fourth place. 

Junior Kaylie Armitage led Furman after placing third with a time of 17:19.8 followed by senior Abigail Robertson and junior Sierra Bower in fourth and fifth place, respectively, after each crossed the line in 17:19.9.  Senior Bethany Graham posted a time of 17:20.1 for sixth place, while sophomore Carly Wilkes placed seventh at 17:20.4 to complete the Paladin scorers.  

Senior Emily Little finished tenth with a time of 17:37.8, and senior Nicole Matysik was 12th with a time of 17:41.2.  Senior Megan Marvin crossed the line in 17:49.8 for 13th place followed by senior Madelynne Cadeau in 14th place at 17:54.5.  Freshman Lily Feingold finished 22nd with a time of 18:19.2 in her collegiate debut, and sophomore Emma Jones placed 26th at 18:24.6.  Sophomore Clair Garrett turned in a time of 18:44.5 for 40th place, and senior Kylie Wittman was 65th at 19:34.1.

On the men's side, the Paladins finished second with 40 points.  Liberty won the meet with 25 points, while Clemson scored 70 points for third place. 

Senior Carson Williams edge out senior Cameron Ponder to lead Furman on the 8K course, with both Paladins crossing the line in 24:40.8.  Williams was credited with fourth place, followed by Ponder in fifth.  Junior Nick Goldstein placed ninth with a time of 24:45.6 followed by junior Gabe Montague in tenth place with a time of 24:48.7.  Sophomore Luke Taylor completed the slate of scorers in 12th place with a time of 25:04.3.  

Freshman Brayden Seymour made his first collegiate start, placing 17th at 25:16.7, and junior Casey Burr finished 36th with a time of 26:02.9.  Freshman Tucker Wright was 43rd at 26:19.1.

"Both teams ran quite well tonight," said Furman head coach Robert Gary.  "This was a great opportunity to preview the NCAA regionals course and try to really pack up to open the season."

After an off weekend, the Paladins will host the Furman Invitational on Sept. 16 in Greenville, S.C.

Furman Women's Individual Results - 5K

3 Kaylie Armitage 17:19.8

4 Abigail Robertson 17:19.9

5 Sierra Bower 17:19.9

6 Bethany Graham 17:20.1

7 Carly Wilkes 17:20.4

10 Emily Little 17:37.8

12 Nicole Matysik 17:41.2

13 Megan Marvin 17:49.8

14 Madelynne Cadeau 17:54.5

22 Lily Feingold 18:19.2

26 Emma Jones 18:24.6

40 Clair Garrett 18:44.5

65 Kylie Wittman 19:34.1

Furman Men's Individual Results - 8K

4 Carson Williams 24:40.8

5 Cameron Ponder 24:40.8

9 Nick Goldstein 24:45.6

10 Gabe Montague 24:48.7

12 Luke Taylor 25:04.3

17 Brayden Seymour 25:16.7

36 Casey Burr 26:02.9

43 Tucker Wright 26:19.1