#17 Vols, Lady Vols Post Strong Performances at XC23 Pre-Nationals

Saturday, October 14

Charlottesville, VA

Men - 9:40 AM | Women - 10:30 AM

University of Tennessee

Pre-Nationals

#17 Vols, Lady Vols Post Strong Performances at XC23 Pre-Nationals

October 14, 2023 | Cross Country

Final Results

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Tennessee cross country team delivered a pair of impressive performances Saturday at the XC23 Pre-Nationals meet, held at Panorama Farms. With 23 teams competing on the men's side, the Vols secured a second-place team finish, while the Lady Vols placed fifth out of 24 teams competing in the women's race.

Both squads raced well through the rain in their final competition before the SEC Championships. Yaseen Abdalla and Ashley Jones were the top finishers for Tennessee with Abdalla placing second in the men's 8K and Jones coming 12th in the women's 6K.

The pre-nationals meet served as a course preview for UT as Panorama Farms will host the 2023 NCAA National Championships in November.

MEN'S RACE RECAP – 8K
Yaseen Abdalla shined for the men and turned in an outstanding effort, racing through the rain to finish in second place overall with a time of 22:58.6. Freshman Dean Casey turned in a standout performance for the Vols, securing an eighth-place finish with a time of 23:25.9.

Gabriel Sanchez bolstered the Vols' position – giving UT three finishers inside the top 15 – crossing the finish line in 11th place at 23:30.7. Jacob Lewis secured 29th with a time of 23:48.9, while Eli Nahom rounded out the top five Tennessee finishers with a 41st-place finish at 24:03.3.

WOMEN'S RACE RECAP – 6K
Leading the way for the Lady Vols was Ashley Jones, who finished 12th overall with a time of 20:12.0. Freshman Jillian Candelino churned out a strong performance, securing an 18th-place finish with a time of 20:22.8.

Kayla Gholar crossed the line in 29th place with a time of 20:40.9, while Rachel Sutliff placed 34th at 20:46.3. Jessie Secor completed the top five finishers for the Lady Vols, taking the 43rd spot with a time of 20:53.9.

UP NEXT
The Vols and Lady Vols will have a week of training leading into the 2023 SEC Cross Country Championships. The conference meet will be hosted by South Carolina in Columbia on Friday, Oct. 27 at Charwood Golf Club.

RESULTS
Men's 8K – 2nd of 23 – 89 points
2. Yaseen Abdalla – 22:58.6
8. Dean Casey – 23:25.9
11. Gabriel Sanchez – 23:30.7
29. Jacob Lewis – 23:48.9
39. Eli Nahom – 24:03.3
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Brandon Olden – 24:15.3
Jacob Nenow – 24:19.2
Christopher Cherry – 24:32.5
Brett Brady – 24:43.9

Women's 6K – 5th of 24 – 135 points
12. Ashley Jones – 20:12.0
18. Jillian Candelino – 20:22.8
29. Kayla Gholar – 20:40.9
34. Rachel Sutliff – 20:46.3
43. Jessie Secor – 20:53.9
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Callie Tucker – 21:09.1
Jaci Sievers – 21:20.0
Andie-Marie Jones – 21:29.2