CARY, N.C. - In the second race of the 2024 season, the High Point Men's Cross Country team placed 12th at the Adidas XC Challenge, hosted by N.C. State and 17th at the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by University of Minnesota. The Panthers were led by junior Jacob Fiorillo here in North Carolina and Hunter Steinau in Minnesota in their season debut.

At the Adidas XC Challeneg, Fiorillo was High Point's top finisher, coming in at 19:15.3. Aiden Morrison trailed behind and came in as the second Panther with a time of 19:29.9.

Sophomore Sterling Sharpe and freshman Ben Schipull finished as the third and fourth Panthers to cross the finish line, clocking 19.56.5 and 20.02.7 respectively. Zach Davis, a sophomore runner for High Point recorded a 20:22.7 time. 

Camerin Williams finished his first race as a Panther in a time of 20:37.7. Ethan Tharp and Brayden Barro finished right behind at 21:05.3 and 21:15.1 and Tyler Galley finished with a time of 22:94.7.

The team split up and sent competitors to the Roy Griak Invitational. Steinau was High Point's top finisher, coming in 67th overall at 26:18.3. Seniors Graham Ferguson and Kyler Koning finished together as the second and third Panthers at 26:47.0 and 26:49.8.

Sophomore Gavin Stevens came in at 27:02.1 as High Point's fourth finisher and Jason Thomson followed shortly after at 27:22.4. Jake Tarosky came in at 27:49.0.

Head Coach Mike Esposito: "This is on me... I have got to do a better job of preparing these guys. They are easily one of the best groups I have ever worked with. Today was difficult, but one good thing is, is that we're going to figure this out."

UP NEXT: On Saturday, October 5th, the Panthers head to Bethlehem, PA, for the Paul Short Run.