Cross Country Opens Season with Runner-Up Finishes

Friday, September 4

Cookeville, Tenn.

W: 10 a.m. | M: 10:30 a.m. EDT

Chattanooga

Golden Eagle Invitational

A man is running in a college cross country race on a grassy course.

Photo by: David Martin

9/4/2026 1:03:00 PM | Cross Country & Track & Field

Results Women's Results Men's Results

Derek Mitchell led the men and Leila Hailey led the women at the Golden Eagle Invitational

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Chattanooga cross country teams opened the 2026 season with strong performances Friday morning in Cookeville, Tenn., at the Golden Eagle Invitational, earning runner-up finishes in both the women's and men's races.

"I'm proud of the effort form both teams today," Mocs head coach Steve Piccuci said. "In pretty rough running conditions we kept our composure and focused on effort and factors we could control."

The Mocs women finished second in the team standings with 48 points, trailing only host Tennessee Tech (19). Lincoln Memorial placed third with 79 points, followed by Austin Peay with 99.

On the women's side, newcomer Leila Hailey paced Chattanooga with a third-place finish in the 4K race, crossing the line in 13:55.72. Scarlett Nash added a ninth-place finish in 14:30.51, while Ashley Torr placed 12th in 14:36.61. Audrey Wade (16th, 14:43.12) and Emma Thweatt (19th, 14:47.27) rounded out the Mocs' scoring five.

The Chattanooga men also claimed second place, scoring 55 points behind Tennessee Tech's winning total of 21. Lincoln Memorial finished third with 69 points, Austin Peay was fourth with 91 and Motlow State rounded out the field with 152.

Derek Mitchell led the Mocs in the men's 6K race, placing fourth overall in 19:15.40. Andrew Moore followed in 11th at 20:01.54, while Ian Etheridge finished 13th in 20:12.89. Cade Crum (23rd, 20:46.67) and Tristan Gould (24th, 20:49.42) completed Chattanooga's scoring lineup.

"Excited to head to the Southern Showcase in a couple of weeks with our full squads," Piccuci added.

The Mocs will head to Huntsville, Ala., for the annual Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State on Friday, September 18 at John Hunt Park.

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TEAM RESULTS
Women

1	Tennessee Tech	19
2	Chattanooga	48
3	Lincoln Memorial	79
4	Austin Peay	99

Men

1	Tennessee Tech	21
2	Chattanooga	55
3	Lincoln Memorial	69
4	Austin Peay	91
5	Motlow State	152

Women's 4K Results

3	Leila Hailey (325)	13:55.72
9	Scarlett Nash (265)	14:30.51
12	Ashley Torr (271)	14:36.61
16	Audrey Wade (274)	14:43.12
19	Emma Thweatt (270)	14:47.27
24	Bella King (263)	15;07.24
28	Ellie von Herrmann (273)	15:17.63
29	Anna Roberson (268)	15:20.34
32	Taylor Crawford (261)	15:34.58
34	Brooke Tyll (272)	15:46.45
35	Olivia Steele (269)	15:52.99
37	Kennedy Reynolds (267)	16:00.31
38	Maya McCloskey (264)	16:00.96
39	Lola Baker (259)	16:07.04
49	Lauren Bayes (260)	17:37.83

Men's 6K Results

4	Derek Mitchell (282)	19:15.40
11	Andrew Moore (283)	20:01.54
13	Ian Etheridge (278)	20:12.89
23	Cade Crum (277)	20:46.67
24	Tristan Gould (279)	20:49.42
31	Jayden Bowman (275)	21:21.26
34	Cash Coggin (276)	21:32.25