Freshman Steven Holmes placed ninth to help lead the Francis Marion University men's cross country team to a fourth-place finish at the Erskine College Invitational Meet, Thursday evening (Oct. 13). The FMU women had only three finishers and did not score as a team.
Wingate University captured the team titles for both the men’s and women's races.
In the men's 8,000-meter race, Wingate compiled 31 points to defeat North Greenville College (51), Presbyterian College (81), FMU (119), Southern Wesleyan University (123), Erskine (156), Toccoa Falls College (165), Paine College (212), and Newberry College (219).
Holmes, returning near his home in Hodges, S.C., finished the race in a time of 28:51.67. Other Francis Marion finishers were Patrick Hopewell in 14th (29:29.27), Ariel Ortiz in 25th (31:06.73), Dan Brann in 32nd (32:26.10), and Joshua Sears in 40th (33:44.38).
Wingate's Brandon DiBianca placed first in the men's event with a time of 27:19.72.
Francis Marion's Kelly May placed fourth in the women's 5,000-meter event with a time of 20:53.05, her fifth Top 5 finish of the year. Other Patriots runners included Megan Coy in 36th (24:14.42) and Sara Parry in 67th (31:19.51).
Lander's Ivana Petrovic captured the women's individual title in a time of 19:51.35.
Both Francis Marion squads will compete in the Peach Belt Conference Championship Meet, Oct. 22 in Lumberton, N.C.
Men's Team Standings
1. Wingate, 31
2. North Greenville, 51
3. Presbyterian, 81
4. Francis Marion, 119
5. Southern Wesleyan, 123
6. Erskine, 156
7. Toccoa Falls, 165
8. Paine, 212
9. Newberry, 219
Women's Team Standings
1. Wingate, 32
2. Lander, 43
3. Southern Wesleyan, 54
4. Presbyterian, 131
5. North Greenville, 144
6. Erskine, 153
7. Newberry, 188
8. Toccoa Falls, 209
9. Paine, 233
10. Francis Marion, Did not score
