ATHENS, Ohio – Senior Mathew Chesum and junior Margrett Watt opened the new season with first-place finishes in both 5K races at the Ohio XC Invitational in Athens on Friday. The men's team came away with a first-place team victory while the women were runner-up in their race.

Chesum crossed the finish line first at a career-best time of 15:06.96. He was followed by sophomore Dennis Mutai who ran a 15:20.05 time for a second-place finish in his Rocket debut. Rockets who also recorded personal-best times were Cooper Losey (13th) at 15:54.51 and sophomore Xavier Gallo (24th) at 16:38.24.

"The men had a solid day today," said head men's coach Nick Stenuf, "We kept a few men back home to work out through this weekend and brought a lot of our new guys to get them into uniform and start off the year. Considering the conditions, we did a great job executing the race plan. To come away with an individual and team win is a great start. We have our eyes set on the remainder of the year."

Watt won the women's race with a time of 18:13.60 and was trailed by McKinley Fielding, who ran a 18:15.67 in her Rocket debut. Paige Embaugh (8th), Emma Heslop (9th), and Krystal Clark (10th) rounded out the top-10. Clark's time of 18:45.58 is a personal best.

Toledo will be back on the course for Indiana State's John McNichols Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Terre Haute, Ind.

Ohio XC Invitational
Athens, Ohio | Ohio University Golf Course
Friday, Sept. 2, 2022

Men's 5K
1. Toledo – 36 pts.
2. Kent State – 36 pts.
3. Ohio – 67 pts.
4. Bowling Green – 75 pts.
5. Fairmont State – 139 pts.

Toledo Individual Men
1. Mathew Chesum – 15:06.96 *PR
2. Dennis Mutai – 15:20.05
6. Ben Towler – 15:38.36
13. Cooper Losey – 15:54.51 *PR
14. Joshua Taylor – 15:57.46
24. Gavin Lammers – 16:25.20
28. Xavier Gallo – 16:38.24 *PR
 
Women's 5K
1. Ohio – 29 pts.
2. Toledo – 30 pts.
3. Kent State – 90 pts.
4. Akron – 109 pts.
5. Bowling Green – 128 pts.

Toledo Individual Women
1. Margrett Watt – 18:13.60
2. McKinley Fielding – 18:15.67
8. Paige Embaugh – 18:44.01
9. Emma Heslop – 18:44.23
10. Krystal Clark – 18:45.58 *PR
13. Claire Steigerwald – 19:01.76
18. Morgan Hicks – 19:11.79