HAMILTON - This Friday, the McMaster cross country team competed in their final invitational meet of the season on their home course. The 8-Kay Marauder Invitational took place at Kay Drage Park. The Marauders fought their way through all the twists and turns of this grass course, and over the many hay bales in their way as well. 

Ana Morariu (Kincardine, Ont.) would lead the Marauder women's team, finishing in eighth with a time of 29:13. Mary Tennant (London, Ont.) would finish next for the Marauders in 15th with a time of 30:17. Then crossing the line close together to round out the team score was Kara Tichbourne (Meaford, Ont.) in 21st at 30:36, Ella Madsen (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) in 23rd with a time of 30:46, and Emma Elliot (Guelph, Ont.) in 26th, crossed the line at 30:54. 

Despite missing some teammates due to injuries, the women's team were able to secure a third place finish, trailing the second place Queen's team by just six points.

The men's 8km race took place shortly after. Alexander Purnell (Dundas, Ont.) would finish first for the Marauder men in fifth overall with a time of 24:50. Samuel Patrick (Guelph, Ont.) was next for the Marauders in 15th with a time of 25:26. Then finishing neck and neck was Giancarlo Farruggia (Hamilton, Ont.) in 18th, and William Weist (Toronto, Ont.) in 19th, both crossing the line at 25:28. Then to cap off the team score, it was Ryan Davies (Sarnia, Ont.) in 23rd finishing with a time of 25:35. 

The men's team secured a fourth place finish and will now look towards preparing for the championship season. 
 

Results: SportMadeSimple.com
 

Next Up: The McMaster cross country team will travel to the Osprey Links Golf Course for the OUA Championships on October 26th hosted by the Nipissing Lakers.