Complete Buccaneer Open Results

North Charleston, S.C. – Tess Masselink ran away from the field, winning by a whopping 41 seconds to lead the College of Charleston cross country team's performance at the season-opening Buccaneer Open hosted by Charleston Southern.

Declan Hines was the top finisher for the Cougar men with a sixth-place finish. CofC competed without the services of Hayden DiBona, the team's top returning runner who sat out the meet with a minor leg injury.

Masselink posted a time of 14:07.6 in the 4K event, marking the seventh time in as many career races that the sophomore has been the Cougars' top finisher. Freshman Kristen Cherry had an outstanding debut, placing fourth with a time of 15:32.1.

Also placing in the top 10 were Cate Ambrose (sixth, 15:42.7) and Eileen Vedder (ninth, 16:09.3). Rounding out the Cougar scorers was Jace Kosiorek, who was 11th in 16:21.8.

"Going in we weren't exactly sure what to expect, but our freshman responded well to their first college meet, and I'm pleased that we have so many great competitors," said head coach Amy Seago. "Tess did an outstanding job. I was impressed by her abillity to keep pushing even though she had such a large lead for most of the race."

Hines had a time of 21:06.9 on a 6.28K course to lead three CofC men in the top 10. Immediately following Hines were Sam Beattie in seventh (21:08.6) and Jack Wedge in ninth (21:24.4). Also scoring were Evan Peirce (11th, 21:30.1) and Tyler Fish (15th, 21:42.5).

"It was hot and humid out there,and that shows up more in the longer races," said Seago. "This was a good measuring stick of where we are and a vital part of our training phase. They will apply what they learned from this race as the season progresses."

The Cougars are back in action September 15 when they travel to Rock Hill, S.C., to compete in the Winthrop Adidas Invitational.

CofC Women
(1) Tess Masselink – 14:07.6
(4) Kristen Cherry – 15:32.1
(6) Cate Ambrose – 15:42.7
(9) Eileen Vedder – 16:09.3
(11) Jace Kosiorek – 16:21.6
(14) Jasmine Smith – 16:32.1
(15) Emma DeRoberts – 16:37.1
(23) Laurie Fogleman – 18:38.4

CofC Men
(6) Declan Hines – 21:06.9
(7) Sam Beattie – 21:08.6
(8) Jack Wedge – 21:24.4
(11) Evan Peirce – 21:30.1
(15) Tyler Fish – 21:42.5
(17) Nick Rienzo – 21:58.2
(22) Grant Gauthier – 22:12.2
(24) William McCann – 22:20.6
(26) Ryan Moosbrugger – 22:25.7