Cross Country opens season at Tiffelberg Open

TIFFIN, Ohio - The Defiance College cross country teams opened up their season Friday night at the Tiffelberg Open hosted by Heidelberg and Tiffin. 

On the men's side, there were a total of 72 runners. Tawon Cannon placed 59th with a time of 31:07.74. In his collegiate debut, Montgomery Rollins finished with a time of 40:56.69. Gavin Maratea completed the 8k race with a time of 46:56.31. 

In the women's 5k race, there were a total of 67 runners. Lisa-Mara Markau finished 59th after crossing the line at the 27:24.25 mark. Zadria King and Jada Ward finished 63rd and 64th, respectively. King completed the race with a time of 32:18.91 and Ward was right behind finishing at 32:21.23. Mone'a McElroy and Kaitlin Paul finished back-to-back as well. McElroy ended with a time of 41:49.37 and Paul finished at 41:59.72. King, Ward, McElroy, and Paul each made their cross country debuts in tonight's race. 

Kylie Anicic from Edinboro won the women's race and Tiffin's Talel Khalfi won the men's race.

The cross country teams are back in action next Friday at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State University.