SPARTANBURG, SC – Sophomore Ethan Hickey and freshman Rowan Hearn led the Francis Marion University men's and women's cross country teams as they competed in the Converse University Kick-Off Meet, Saturday morning (Sept. 21) in Spartanburg.
 
The two races were run on the Roger Milliken Center grounds, which will be the site of the 2024 Conference Carolinas championship meet in October.
 
The Patriot men finished 21st in a large field that included three nationally ranked squads and two NCAA Division I teams.
 
Hickey finished the 8,000-meter course in 29:35.113 and placed 146th.  Freshman Landon Morris was FMU's second runner as he finished 179th in a time of 30:55.013. 
 
Other Francis Marion runners were freshman Caleb Gary (31:36.873) in 185th, senior Tyson Jackson (33:27.853) in 201st, sophomore CJ Applegate (35:06.653) in 209th, freshman Race Shird (40:11.083) in 220th, and freshman Klay Baker (40:11.173) in 221st position.
 
The FMU women finished 18th in the team standings.  Their field also featured three nationally ranked squads and two Division I opponents.
 
Hearn completed the 6,000-meter course in 28:27.343 and occupied 151st position.  Freshman Alia Turcios, running in her first collegiate race, was the next Patriot finisher as she placed 157th in 29:03.923.
 
Othe FMU finishers included sophomore Meri Ellen Johnson (30:06.293) in 171st, freshman Katelynn Roberts (30:27.703) in 175th, junior MacKinley Perry (30:32.273) in 177th, and sophomore Emily Gaines (31:21.203) in 182nd position.
 
Also, sophomore Jordyn Perry (31:22.813) in 183rd, sophomore Leigh Detalo (31:25.083) in 185th, freshman Emma Steen (33:05.893) in 195th, and freshman Natalie Rose (35:17.763) in 199th place.
 
Francis Marion's next action will be in the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational Meet on Saturday morning, Sept. 28, in Rock Hill, S.C.