SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Furman men's cross country team opened the 2024 season Friday with a first place finish at USC Upstate's Eye Opener at Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg, S.C. The Paladin women finished runner up.
On the men's side, the Paladins finished with 20 points. Clemson came in second with 47 points, while ETSU scored 120 points for third place.
Fifth year senior Evan Guzman finished in second, edging out sophomore Luke Taylor to lead Furman on the 8K course, with both Paladins crossing the line in 25:05.3. Freshman Chris Knight was credited with fourth place, turning in a time of 25:05.4, followed by sophomore Brayden Seymour in fifth with a time of 25:05.4. Freshman Owen Shifflett placed sixth with a time of 25:05.5 completing the slate of scorers for the Paladins.
Senior Foster Wilfong placed 12th at 25:45.0, and sophomore Colton Kempney 14th with a time of 25:45.5. Senior Nick Goldstein was 17th at 25:53.3 while senior Casey Burr came in 24th with a time of 26:06.8.
The Paladin women scored 31 points in the 5K race. Clemson finished first with 26 points, while ETSU finished in third with 87 points. UNC Pembroke scored 155 points for fourth place.
Junior Kaylie Armitage led Furman after placing fourth with a time of 17:16.3 followed by juniors Carly Wilkes and Jenna Mulhern in fifth and sixth place, respectively, crossing the line in 17:16.5 and 17:21.9. Senior Sierra Bower posted a time of 17:22.1 for seventh place, while junior Emma Jones placed tenth at 17:38.25 to complete the Paladin scorers.
Senior Nicole Matysik finished eleventh with a time of 17:43.8, and sophomore Lily Feingold was 12th with a time of 17:49.5. Senior Megan Marvin crossed the line in 17:51.4 for 13th place followed by senior Madelynne Cadeau in 15th place at 17:54.5. Sophomore Camryn Wennersten was 17th at 18:04.1 and Clair Garrett finished 25th with a time of 18:54.0.
The Paladins will be back in action next weekend when the teams host the Furman Invitational on Sept. 14 in Greenville, S.C.
Furman Women's Individual Results - 5K
4 Kaylie Armitage 17:16.4
5 Carly Wilkes 17:16.6
6 Jenna Mulhern 17:22.0
7 Sierra Bower 17:22.2
10 Emma Jones 17:38.3
11 Nicole Matysik 17:43.9
12 Lily Feingold 17:49.6
13 Megan Marvin 17:51.5
15 Madelynne Cadeau 18:02.5
17 Camryn Wennersten 18:04.4
25 Clair Garrett 18:54.0
Furman Men's Individual Results - 8K
2 Evan Guzman 25:05.3
3 Luke Taylor 25:05.3
4 Chris Knight 25:05.4
5 Brayden Seymour 25:05.4
6 Owen Shifflett 25:05.5
12 Foster Wilfong 25:45.0
14 Colton Kempney 25:45.5
17 Nick Goldstein 25:52.3
24 Casey Burr 26:06.8
