CHARLESTON – The Buccaneers' men's cross country team started their 2024 fall season on Friday morning competing in the CSU Buccaneer Invitational and taking home the team crown in it. Caleb Kenyon won the individual title at the race to begin his cross season on a very high note.
 
Following the race, Jim Stintzi, director of track & field/cross country said, "Today, was a solid start for both programs. I was happy with the aggressive up-front racing from both teams. We still have plenty of work to do, but all in all, it was a good opener."
 
As a team, Charleston Southern scored just 20 points, taking the meet win over a former Big South member in Coastal Carolina. Kenyon finished the day with a time of 19:11.9 to take the individual win. He was able to take the victory over new teammate Zach Mickler who competed as unattached during the race today and had a time of 19:15.3. A familiar face in Jeff Wedding was the Bucs third finisher and fourth overall in the field with a time of 19:20.8.
 
The next four runners for the Buccaneers to cross the line each are new to the roster as of this summer to complete the squad's top seven of the morning. Lin Scott was the top freshman performer (5^th – 19:21.7), Matt Bauer (6^th – 19:22.5), Martin Iriondo (8^th – 19:45.9) and Zech Prater (11^th – 20:02.1).
 
Other Charleston Southern runners who competed included Steven McCartney (12^th – 20:07.0), Wesley Haagstrom (18^th – 20:24.6), Zaiden Lane (unattached – 31^st – 21:15.5) and Ben Sherrill (unattached – 42^nd – 21:38.1).
 
Charleston Southern will now enjoy a week off from racing as they will prepare for their first away meet of the fall. They will compete in the Furman Invitational on Saturday, September 14 as they make the trip to the upstate of the Palmetto state to continue their season.