Men’s Cross Country Edges Clemson For Team Title at Eye Opener Invitational

Friday, September 2

Spartanburg, S.C.

All Day

Davidson College Athletics

Eye Opener at USC Upstate

Demetrios Pagonis

Photo by: Sideline Sports

Men’s Cross Country Edges Clemson For Team Title at Eye Opener Invitational

9/3/2011 2:32:00 AM | Men's Cross Country

By: Mark Brumbaugh

Division I Team Scores

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Three Davidson runners placed in the Top 10, led by junior Demetrios Pagonis' fifth-place finish, to lead the Wildcats men's cross country team to a one-point victory over Clemson, 47-48, for the team title at the season-opening Eye Opener Invitational Friday hosted by USC Upstate at the Milliken Research Center. It originially appeared that Clemson and Davidson tied, but scoring was corrected Saturday.

Davidson freshman Whitner Chase was omitted from the initially released results, but he actually finished 17th in 26:47, one second ahead of Clemson's Tim Tyler, who finished in 18th in 26:48. As Davidson's seventh finisher, Chase's finish added one point to Clemson's score.

Pagonis completed the 8K course in 25:58, just over a minute off the pace set by race winner Gilbert Kemboi (USC Upstate, 24:52). Clemson placed three runners in the Top Eight, but Davidson swept positions nine through 12 for the win.

Senior Ian Tupper was the second Wildcat to cross the finish line placing ninth in 26:13. Classmate Ryan Hopkins rounded out the Top 10 in 26:23. Junior Wes Reynolds (11th, 26:26) and freshman Henry Falotico (12th, 26:28) were close behind to round out the Davidson scoring group. Freshman Chris Repecki placed 15th (26:41) and sophomore Andrew Lantz was 19th (26:49).

A total of 17 teams participated, with Davidson placing ahead of Southern Conference foes Furman, College of Charleston and Wofford. Davidson was the first of the seven Division I teams competing.

Weather delays hampered the race, as it was barely completed before nightfall.

Davidson will return to action Friday, Sept. 16 at the Clemson Invitational.