MISENHEIMER, NC – Freshmen Ethan Hickey and Charlie Hall led the Francis Marion University men's cross country team, while junior Caroline Thompkins paced the FMU women as both Patriot squads placed third at the Pfeiffer University Invitational Meet on Saturday (Sept. 16) morning.
 
Hickey and Hall both improved on their 8,000-meter times from the season opener as Hickey finished ninth overall in 28:27.6 and Hall was 10th in 28:38.0.
 
Sophomore Zachary Patrick was the next FMU finisher, as he placed 13th with a time of 29:38.3.  Other Patriot runners included senior Cullen Dore (29:59.0) in 16th position, freshman Barry Hardy (PR of 30:10.8) in 18th, junior Tyson Jackson (31:03.0) in 22nd, senior Logan Zeis (34:09.3) in 35th, freshman Christopher Applegate (PR of 35:08.8) in 41st, and junior Michael James (PR of 36:21.1) in 46th.
 
Thompkins led FMU in the 5,000-meter women's race as she finished eighth with a time of 22:21.9.
 
Freshmen Jordyn Perry and Emily Gaines both registered personal-best times in their second career race, placing 15th and 16th respectively.  Perry posted a time of 23:15.5 and Gaines finished in 23:20.9.  Sophomore MacKinley Perry placed 17th with a time of 23:21.7.
 
Other Francis Marion runners included freshman Leigh Detalo (PR of 24:46.1) in 27th, sophomore Briggs Kelly (24:55.5) in 28th, freshman Meri Ellen Johnson (PR of 25:56.4) in 32nd, and junior Haizley Herndon (35:29.6) in 55th.
 
Altogether, eight first-year FMU runners improved upon their times from the season's opening meet.
 
The host Falcons won the men's title with a 25 score and the women's crown with a 28 tally.
 
Both FMU will return to action at the Chanticleer Challenge Meet on Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. in Conway.