KERNERSVILLE, NC – Both the Francis Marion University women's and men's cross country teams placed 14th at the 2025 Conference Carolinas Championship Meet, Friday afternoon (Oct. 24) at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, N.C.
 
Senior Caroline Thompkins, a native of Conway, led the Patriot women runners as she finished the 6,000-meter course in 27:45.31 for a 63rd-place finish.  Sophomore Emma Steen, a native of Hartsville, crossed the finish line next for FMU in 66th position with a time of 27:56.19.
  
Francis Marion sophomore Alia Turcios finished 81st with a time of 29:25.86, while other Patriot finishers were sophomore Rowan Hearn (29:34.74) in 82nd place, sophomore Katelynn Roberts (31:14.74) in 98th, freshman Deyra Martinez (31:17.40) in 99th, and sophomore Mia Edmundson (34:30.18) in 105th position.
 
Freshman Jaden Alexander was the first FMU men's runner to finish as he completed the 8,000-meter course in 29:32.83 and finished in 91st position.  Freshman Ethan Simpson placed 128th with a time of 31:53.58, while West Florence High School product and Patriot freshman Luis Cedeno placed 136th in 33:11.48.
 
Other Patriot runners included sophomore Grayson Hartson (33:39.73) in 138th place, junior Charlie Hall (34:01.61) in 139th, sophomore Caleb Gary (34:03.95) in 140th, sophomore Niclas Giessler (34:44.88) in 143rd, senior Michael James (36:43.71) in 147th, sophomore Dominic Rigoni (37:59.53) in 149th, and sophomore Kyle Elliott (39:31.22) in 150th position.
 
UNC Pembroke earned the men's team title, while North Greenville University captured the women's team championship.