USF Invitational Results

SAN FRANCISCO -- In its first competition of the season, Academy of Art University men's and women's cross country completed the University of San Francisco Invitational at Golden Gate Park. Led by graduate student Hasna Kaarour, the women claimed sixth overall while the men took seventh with graduate student Freddie Hessian at the helm.

"This was a solid starting point for both teams," said head coach Steve Fuelling. "It was great to measure ourselves against many well-respected programs in the area. We are looking forward to having three weeks of training before we return to Golden Gate Park."

The highest finish of any Urban Knight on the day was Kaarour who crossed the line 19th overall with a time of 22:10.6 on the 6k course. Behind her was redshirt freshman Audrey Rosencrans in 25th at 22:37.4 and it was senior Giulia McIsaac who followed in 32nd place with a time of 22:53.8. Redshirt freshman Alyssa Winter offered 23:20.9 mark (44th) and it was a duo of Urban Knights, senior Ashley Brown and redshirt junior Emma Johnson, who took 61st (24:03.7) and 62nd (24:04.6) respectively.

The men's team was led by Hessian who finished 33rd with a time of 25:52.19 through the 8k course. Not far behind ART U's leader was junior Rabah Houali in 38th at 26:13.53. In the first official races of their respective collegiate careers, freshman Hudson Lockette, redshirt freshman Logan Briner, and redshirt freshman Nicolas Boffman rounded out the Urban Knights' top five. Lockette went 27:06.64 for 57th overall while Briner was 61st (27:26.65) and Boffman took 68th (28:24.25).

The Urban Knights will return to Golden Gate Park on Sept. 21 for the SF State Invitational. It will be the men who run first at 3:30 p.m. followed by the women at 4:15 p.m.