NEW LONDON, Conn- The Johnson & Wales men's and women's cross country teams both took first place in the Mitchell Invitational. First-year Zach Curry led the men's squad, while returner Kaylan Dunham led the women.

Though the morning started cloudy, it brightened up when the men's team finished in first place with a score of 30 points. The Wildcats bested the second-place finisher the University of Saint Joseph, by 35 points and the third-placed team Dean College, by 50 points.

Improving on last week's race, Zach Curry finished third overall, and first for the Wildcats', crossing the line in 17:54.2. Trailing behind by less than four seconds was Captain Matthew Ursillo, who earned a fourth-place finish at 17:57.5. JWU had 5 runners finish in the top 10, including sixth-placed Owen Eubanks (18:03.2), seventh-placed Nathan Malorzo (18:05.5), and tenth-placed Nicholas Pereira (18:45.4).

The women's team tied Elms for first place, with both teams earning in 41 points. Followed by the University of Saint Joseph in third place with 71 points.

Coming back from an injury, junior Kaylan Dunham held nothing back leading the JWU women's squad with a sixth-place finish, crossing the line in 22:44.3. Trailing by less than a minute was first-year Haley Chaykowski-Jewett coming in seventh place at 23:36.9. Improving on last week's top scoring finish by three minutes was Claire Livernois placing ninth at 23:43.2.

Up Next:
The Wildcats return to the trail Saturday, September 21 at the Umass Dartmouth Invitational; the women are set to start at 11:45 a.m. while the men will start at 12 p.m.   

Men's
3. Zach Curry                       17:54.2
4. Matthew Ursillo                 17:57.7
6. Owen Eubanks                 18:03.2
7. Nathan Malorzo                18:05.5
10. Nick Pereira                    18:45.4
15. Brent Giles                      19:29.4
20. Marc Anthony Chavez    19:56.9
23. Nathan Pasquarello        20:53.4
25. Kyle Spicher                   21:20.1
26. Luis Santiago                  21:38.2
33. Dumah Reid                   22:35.1
34. Blake Reale                    22:36.6

Women's
6. Kaylan Dunham                  22:44.3
7. Haley Chaykowski-Jewett    23:36.9
9. Claire Livernois                   23:43.2
12. Ellie Aliperti                       24:11.6
19. Ameila Warfel                   25:25.8
23. Jules Thompson                26:49.3
30. Tori Finch                          28:15.3
31. Samantha Passetto          28:50.6
35. Kate Henderson                29:17.4