Megan Daniels
Student Journalist 

Mountaineers cross country returned on Oct. 2 with both the men's and women's teams competing in the OCAA Invitational at Fanshawe College.

The men's team would finish the day capturing a third place podium finish.

"We were really happy with how the race played out," said Mountaineers head coach David Hopton.

Matias Tessel led Mohawk as he finished the race with a time of 29:20, which was good for eighth place amongst 58 runners.

Teammate Jacob Chant also had a strong showing, placing 11^th for the Mountaineers. Will Summers and Ben Yalin placed 18^th and 19^th, respectively. Gordon McGinn came in 30^th, Riley Hambly finished 33^rd and Antonio Fricano placed 41^st.

Although the women's team did not make the podium, Mohawk's Annie Sterenberg placed 5th out of 40 runners in her collegiate debut, finishing with a time of 25:56.

Hopton said the women were missing their fourth runner, which could have put them in the hunt for a podium finish with a full team.

The other two runners for the Mountaineers, Ashley Lof and Stefania Salzer placed 15th and 22^nd, respectively.

"Both results were a bit of a happy surprise," Hopton said. "We knew a podium finish was possible and that we had a strong team, but to do it in our first race exceeded everyone's expectations."

The Mountaineers will next race on Oct. 16 at the second OCAA Invitational.

Full Results:

Men's

Women's

Full results can be viewed here: http://www.runninggoals.ca/race-results.php