Peterson, Nahom Race to Victory at Tennessee Cross Country Invitational

Friday, September 1

Knoxville, Tenn.

Women - 8 AM | Men - 8:30 AM

University of Tennessee

Tennessee Cross Country Invitational

Chesney Peterson / Eli Nahom - 2023 Tennessee XC Invitational

Peterson, Nahom Race to Victory at Tennessee Cross Country Invitational

September 01, 2023 | Cross Country

Results (PDF)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Chesney Peterson and Eli Nahom took home individual wins at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational as they led the Vols and Lady Vols to team victories over Chattanooga, Lee University and Tennessee Tech Friday morning at Cherokee Farms Cross Country Course.

Peterson took the win in her collegiate debut, becoming the second Lady Vol in as many years to win their debut race – joining Andie-Marie Jones who won the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational last season.

The win for Nahom gives him back-to-back victories in Tennessee's annual home meet after winning the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational in 2022.

"It was a perfect morning to race, and it was awesome to see our men and women run well in the first meet of the season," head coach Sean Carlson said. "Eli getting the win in his final home meet is special and is great to see. Chesney getting a win her first time out is fantastic.

"I was pleased with how both teams performed this morning, running together and pushing each other. Our men continue to get stronger, while our women return a lot from last season and are building something special."

WOMEN'S RACE RECAP
The Lady Vols dominated the meet with a perfect score of 15 points in the team standings, as five Tennessee runners crossed the finish line in a 0.5-second span. Peterson was first in 17:18.1 over the three-mile course, while Jaci Sievers, Callie Tucker and Jessie Secor each tied for second place with a mark of 17:18.4. Sophomore Andie-Marie Jones rounded out the top five with a time of 17:18.6 to complete the Big Orange sweep on UT's home course.

Lee (Tenn.) University was second in the team standings with a score of 56 points, while Tennessee Tech (89) and Chattanooga (99) took third and fourth respectively.

MEN'S RACE RECAP
Nahom led the men across the line with a finishing time of 19:53.3, earning his second consecutive home meet win. His time is a new personal best over a four-mile course. Grad transfer Brett Brady followed him across the line in second, posting a time of 20:03.7 in his Tennessee debut.

Redshirt freshman Yordanos Zelinski appeared in his first collegiate XC event and was the third Vol in uniform across the finish line, placing eighth with a time of 20:25.6. Brody Chapman (20:34.7, 13th) and Connor Henson (20:41.4, 15th) rounded out the Tennessee top five in their collegiate cross country debuts.

The 16th-ranked and preseason SEC favorite Vols won Friday's home contest with 24 points. Lee (Tenn.) University took second with 31 points, followed by Tennessee Tech (96) and Chattanooga (101) finishing third and fourth respectively.

UP NEXT
Tennessee cross country will take two weeks off from competition before traveling to Columbia, South Carolina, for the Gamecock Challenge on Friday, Sept. 15. The meet gives the Vols and Lady Vols a chance to preview this year's SEC Championship course, as South Carolina is set to host the conference meet on Friday, Oct. 27.

Tennessee's results from Friday, including 2023 squad members that competed unattached, can be viewed below.

Women's 3-Mile
Team Results
1. Tennessee - 15 points
2. Lee (Tenn.) - 56 points
3. Tennessee Tech - 89 points
4. Chattanooga - 99 points

Individual Results (Tennessee)
1. Chesney Peterson - 17:18.1
t2. Jaci Sievers - 17:18.4
t2. Callie Tucker - 17:18.4
t2. Jessie Secor - 17:18.4
5. Andie-Marie Jones - 17:18.6
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8. Summer Schuster - 17:27.6
10. Msgana Araya - 17:29.0
12. Lia Pugsley - 17:29.9
16. Julia Ray - 17:51.4
23. Jordan Rayl - 18:17.9
24. Lauren Rutlin - 18:19.7

Individual Results (Unattached)
t6. Savannah Rivera - 17:22.3
t6. Teegan Anderson - 17:22.3
9. Lily Baker - 17:28.8
14. Jaylee Wingate - 17:37.0
18. Rondi Quass - 17:58.2

Men's 4-Mile
Team Results
1. Tennessee - 24 points
2. Lee (Tenn.) - 31 points
3. Tennessee Tech - 96 points
4. Chattanooga - 101 points

Individual Results (Tennessee)
1. Eli Nahom - 19:53.3
2. Brett Brady - 20:03.7
8. Yordanos Zelinski - 20:25.6
13. Brody Chapman - 20:34.7
15. Connor Henson - 20:41.4
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18. Canaan Anderson - 20:47.6
21. Christopher Cherry - 20:52.3

Individual Results (Unattached)
4. Brendan Gomez - 20:05.7
6. Will Cahill - 20:13.9
7. Hudson Betts - 20:20.6
9. Aidan Ryan - 20:28.9
10. Trevor Coggin - 20:29.9
11. Thomas Rice - 20:30.7
31. Simon Schabort - 21:40.20
32. Sam Kolowith - 21:48.0