EMMITSBURG, Md. (September 2, 2022) – Using a furious finish, Mount St. Mary's graduate student John Wang captured the top individual spot during the Mount 5K Duals Friday. As a team, the men's squad came in second overall with the women's squad posting third.
 
In her first race as a collegiate runner, freshman Elizabeth Freymann took a runner-up spot, followed by senior Molly Connelly in third.  
 
For the duals, the men's team went 2-1, taking victories over Howard and Catholic. The women's team also edged Catholic for a 1-2 showing.
 
"Overall, we came out and did what we needed to do." Head Cross Country Coach Josh Poole said. "We wanted to come out and race hard to open the season and see where we were at fitness-wise. Walking away, we have that kind of information."
 
The most exciting moment of the morning came at the final stretch of the men's race. Heading into the final stretch, UMBC's Cameron Hindle had a sizable advantage on Wang as the duo approached the finish line. About halfway down the straightaway, Wang began his charge, meeting Hindle at the line. Both recorded race times of 15:21.7, with the Mountaineer timing a sprint in the nick of time to cross first by hundredths of seconds.
 
"I went around the last 90-degree turn and had to slow down to get around it." Wang said post meet. "He gapped me by about 10 meters. We had about 200 meters and I just gunned it and managed to him at the line. All around good vibes from that one!"
 
Additional point scorers for the men included Paul Fagnano (7^th, 16:13.1), Michael Chipi (10^th, 16:16.4) and Kevin Zaleski (14^th, 16:33.0).
 
Freymann charged to the number two position about two-thirds of the way into the race, finishing in 19:34.1. Connelly kept pace and finished a few strides behind, posting a 19:34.9 in her return from an injury. Mary Campbell (10^th, 20:43.4), Erin Billigmeier (19^th, 22:51.0), and Ellie Dorian (22^nd, 23:12.7) all factored into the scoring.
 
"Today I was super nervous for the first race of the season." Connelly said. "We don't yet trust ourselves, but we started and took it out a little fast. But finished strong. I haven't been healthy for a while, so I am grateful and want to race every race like it's my last one."
 
Next week, the squads split between a pair of meets. Runners will compete in either Lebanon Valley's Dutchman Invitational in Pennsylvania or the Siena Invitational in New York.