HARRIMAN, Tenn. — The Tusculum University men’s and women’s cross country teams kicked off the 2025 season with competition at the Roane State Invitational on Friday evening.
The Tusculum men finished first overall with junior Nathan Buckeridge winning the 8-kilometer race, while the Pioneer women placed second behind a fourth-place finish from junior Jesica Mbhamali in the 5-kilometer event.
The Pioneers will be back on the course next Friday, Sept. 19 at the Brevard XC Classic. The women’s meet starts at 4:30 p.m. followed by the men’s race at 5:15 p.m.
MEN’S RECAP
Buckeridge became the first Pioneer since Pau Valdepenas in 2023 to finish first in a race. His time of 26:12 beat runner-up Ransom Lester of the Tennessee Running Club by 91 seconds, as Lester was timed in 27:43. Freshman Tomas Ribeiro was third at 28:06, followed by freshman Albert Ziegler in fourth at 28:15.
Junior Simon Ray placed eighth in 29:37 and sophomore Levi Carson took ninth in 29:39 to give Tusculum five runners in the top 10. Freshman Coen Morgan finished 11th at 29:58, and freshman Casen Davis took 12th place at 30:02. Junior Jerry Ricker was 14th in 30:34 in the field of 30 runners.
WOMEN’S RECAP
Mbhamali crossed the finish line in 19:24, one of four runners to break 20 minutes on the 5K course. Savannah Rivera of Roane State was the individual winner with a time of 17:58.
Four freshmen rounded out the lineup for the Pioneers, with Ruby Groves taking 15th place in 21:34, Abby Counter 19th place at 21:49, Tristen Douthat in 23rd place at 22:34 and Skyler Shinn taking 27th at 23:59
