WASHINGTON - Facing cold, snowy, and icy conditions, the American University cross country team gritted out its first race in almost a year on Saturday at the Loyola Invitational, and came away with exciting performances from the young squads, including an overall win in the men's race by sophomore Russell Sullivan, and a second-place finish from classmate Ana Keene on the women's side. 

• Both teams placed second in the three-team field that featured fellow-Patriot League foes Lafayette (men and women - first) and Loyola (women - third).
• The men switched from the original 8,000-meter course to 6,000-meters due to conditions.
• Sophomore Russell Sullivan paced the men's field in 22:15, seven seconds ahead of the second finisher. This is the sixth time that Sullivan led the men's team on the cross country course and his second overall victory after he led the men's team to a win with a first-place finish at the 2019 Leopard Invitational.
• Freshman Ethan Puc was next for the Eagles in his career debut, crossing in seventh overall with a final time of 23:48. 
• Junior Aidan Caggiano and sophomores Nathan Reeves and Tucker Zullo rounded out AU's top-five scorers.
• On the women's side, sophomore Ana Keene led the team for the first time in her career, closing second in the field with a final time of 26:18.
• Freshman Kylie Raymond was next for the Eagles with a sixth-place crossing in 27:15. Sophomore Rachael Potter, junior Clare Hernandez, and sophomore Sarah Maple rounded out AU's scorers with top-10 finishes in the field.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH SEAN GRAHAM...
"Today was an emotional, bittersweet day. We did it, after nearly a year we finally put the jerseys on, lined up next to our teammates, and raced! It has been a long time coming, and for that I am elated for these great young student-athletes. They've been working so hard for so long for competition to come around again, and they persevered to finally get back to what they love. I just wish Mother Nature would have cooperated somewhat to give them a more enjoyable and more accurate indicator of their ability and growth. It was awfully cold out there today, snow covered, ice covered, and windy the whole way. But that's not to say we didn't have some great performances. On the women's side, Ana Keene led the way finishing second overall and Russell Sullivan took the win on the men's side. Great work by both of them.

Now that it has finally begun, the opportunities ahead will come quickly and they'll get better, as well. I know we're all looking forward to getting the chance to get after it again soon."

WOMEN'S RESULTS
2. Ana Keene, 26:18
6. Kylie Raymond, 27:15
7. Rachael Potter, 27:32
8. Clare Hernandez, 27:40
10. Sarah Maple, 27:59
12. Elise Hooker, 28:12
13. June Mwaniki, 28:35
14. Callia Cordasco, 28:40
19. Sasha Abielmona, 29:35
21. Catie Anderson, 30:20
23. Cassandra Daniele, 30:27
--
1. Lafayette, 24 points
2. AMERICAN, 33 points
3. Loyola Maryland, 79 points

MEN'S RESULTS
1. Russell Sullivan, 22:15
7. Ethan Puc, 23:48
9. Aidan Caggiano, 24:02
10. Nathan Reeves, 24:21
11. Tucker Zullo, 24:29
13. Jackson McCarthy, 26:11
--
1. Lafayette, 21 points
2. AMERICAN, 34 points

For the latest on American University Cross Country, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_TrackXC) and Instagram (@au_trackxc).