SPARTANBURG, SC – Freshman Alia Turcios and sophomore Ethan Hickey led the Francis Marion University women's and men's cross country teams as the Patriots finished 12th and 13th respectively at the Conference Carolinas 2024 Championship Meet on Saturday morning (Oct. 26).
 
The races were held at the Roger Milliken Center in Spartanburg, S.C.
 
Turcios toured the 6,000-meter course in a personal-best time of 27:44.8, nearly 1:19 faster than her previous best time at the collegiate level.  She placed 74th.  Sophomore Meri Ellen Johnson was the second FMU finisher as she placed 76th in 27:49.5, while freshman Rowan Hearn was 80th in 27:55.9, with both runners also registering personal-best times for 6K.
 
Other Patriot runners included sophomore Emily Gaines (28:30.8) in 87th,  freshman Katelynn Roberts (personal-best 28:51.2) in 89th, sophomore Leigh Detalo (29:28.9) in 94th, junior MacKinley Perry (29:39.6) in 96th, sophomore Jordyn Perry (29:59.0) in 103rd, and freshman Natalie Rose (personal-best 32:32.1) in 110th place.
 
Hickey completed the 8,000-meter course in 29:50.7 and placed 108th.  Freshman Caleb Gary was FMU's second runner as he finished 118th in a personal-best time of 30:50.7. 
 
Other Francis Marion runners were sophomore Charlie Hall (31:07.9) in 123rd, senior Tyson Jackson (32:11.4) in 132nd, freshman Dominic Rigoni (33:04.1) in 136th, and senior Logan Zeis (33:47.1) in 138th place.
 
Also, freshman Landon Morris (33:47.4) placed 139th, junior Michael James (36:54.4) was 144th, and sophomore CJ Applegate (37:39.7) finished 145th.
 
North Greenville University claimed the women's team title, while UNC Pembroke won the men's championship.