CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On the heels of record-breaking performances in the season-starting Belmont Opener two weeks back, the Presbyterian College cross country programs reigned in their second event of the fall schedule on Friday evening at the Queen City Invite in Charlotte.

Many eye-popping times were achieved by the Blue Hose at McAlpine Park as the women competed in another 5K race before an 8K competition involving the men. Among the most notable, senior Keyli Gomez tallied a collegiate personal record with a time of 20:03. Elsewhere, William Johnson grabbed his quickest 8K opener in his four-year career at 26:55, only 11 seconds from his individual high.

While Gomez would pace the Blue Hose women's squad, all six competing females improved significantly from the Nashville meet earlier this month – anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds – including Isabel Whitman who logged a time of 20:29.

Caroline Rairigh and Abby Donaldson finished three seconds apart from each other to land back-to-back in the overall standings, as Savannah Watson and Julie Covil compiled 23:31 and 24:21 times respectively.

After Johnson and Kaufman each broke the PC school record in 5K at Belmont for the men's team, both would prove efficient again on Friday. Behind Johnson, Kaufman posted a fantastic 28:31 in just his second meet as a freshman.

Second-year runner Spencer Wieters mirrored Johnson with his fastest 8K opener in Charlotte, completing the event at 30:14. Kevin Lagat ended 13 seconds ahead, while Samuel Wall published 31:02, James Marler hit 35:54, and Nizeyimana Aristide logged 38:51.
 
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With two dates to go until the 2023 Big South Championship in Salem, Virginia, Presbyterian will next visit the Sunshine State capital on September 29 for the FSU Invite in Tallahassee.

The Florida State Seminoles will be the hosting party for the event, scheduled to begin bright and early just prior to 8:00 AM.
 
WOMEN'S RESULTS – 5K (7th Place, 188 Points)
Keyli Gomez – 20:03.37 (37^th place)
Isabel Whitman – 20:29.06 (42^nd place)
Caroline Rairigh – 20:59.13 (50^th place)
Abby Donaldson – 21:02.38 (51^st place)
Savannah Watson – 23:31.91 (74^th place)
Julie Covil – 24:21.92 (84^th place)
 
MEN'S RESULTS – 8K (10th Place, 288 Points)
William Johnson – 26:55.96 (33^rd place)
Noah Kaufman – 28:31.52 (71^st place)
Kevin Lagat – 30:01.52 (90^th place)
Spencer Wieters – 30:14.90 (96^th place)
Samuel Wall – 31:02.57 (104^th place)
James Marler – 35:54.61 (127^th place)
Nizeyimana Aristide – 38:51.52 (129^th place)