BALTIMORE, Md. – Marcos Maciel led a balanced pack of up-and-coming Bears as the Ursinus College men's cross country team made its season debut at the Johns Hopkins Invitational on Thursday.
Maciel placed 27th overall for Ursinus, which landed ahead of McDaniel and behind the host Blue Jays, American, and Messiah at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center.
The veteran Maciel navigated the 5.94-kilometer course in 20:35.1. Close on his heels was rookie Paul Faggioli, who was 32nd at a clocking of 20:49.3 in his collegiate debut.
Tucker McGrath, also competing for the first time, took 34th in 21:05.2, and Brandon Slaboda was right behind him at 21:10.2 (36th overall).
Andy Shute (21:15.3), Dylan Simms (21:16.2), Jesse Wun (21:17.2), and Will Gillette (21:18.4) all finished within three seconds of each other to round out the Bears' top eight.
Christian Rosado, Henry Wilt, Ean Chasinoff, and Ethan Chambers also made their collegiate debuts on Thursday.
The Bears return to action next Saturday at the Dutchmen Invitational, hosted by Lebanon Valley College at Union Canal Tunnel Park.