University of Tennessee at Chattanooga distance runner Nathan Wanuch (Mississiauga, Ontario) led three Mocs in the top four of the men’s 3000 meter steeplechase and freshman Teghan Henderson (Pickering, Ontario) placed second in the women’s race in the season opener at the USF Bulls Invitational Friday.

Wanuch posted a PR in the event with a time of 9:21.03, more than three seconds ahead of his previous top time.

“I’m proud of Nathan,” UTC Head Coach Bill Gautier said. “He started out strong and has picked up where he left off last year.”

Henderson, running in her first-ever steeplechase, placed second in the women’s race with instructions called out from the sidelines. She finished with a time of 11:14.90. Freshmen Taylor Hawk (Dandridge, Tenn.) placed third in the race with a time of 10:34.12 while classmate Zack Darby was fourth with a time of 10:48.24.

“Teghan will be a factor sooner rather than later,” Gautier said. “For the guys, they did well despite the fact that it was their first time running the steeple.”

Sophomore Amanda Sumner (Bristol, Conn.) placed fourth overall with a time of 2:18.05 after leading through the first 500 meters. Sophomore Jessica Philpott (Manchester, Tenn.) won her heat in the 1500 meter with a time of 5:09.04.

Freshman Geoff Nelson (Brentwood, Tenn.) ran the 400 meter dash in a time of 51.42 and senior Blake Olson (Pleasant View, Tenn.) was 12^th overall in the 400 meter Hurdles with a time of 57.22. Freshman Austin Ethridge finished third in his heat in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:02.01. Freshman Matthew Marshall (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) ran he 3000 meter in a time of 8:58.93, placing eighth overall.

“All-in-all it was a good race,” Gautier said. “We enjoyed the brief break and it was a good way to kick off the season. We’re looking forward to Western Carolina next weekend.”

400m Dash

18. Geoff Nelson                              51.42

400m Hurdles

12. Blake Olson                                 57.22 (4^th in 2^nd heat)

800m Run

13. Austin Ethridge                          2:02.01 (3^rd in 3^rd heat)

800m Run

4. Amanda Sumner                         2:18.05 (4^th in 1^st heat)

1500m Run

24. Jessica Philpott                          5:09.04

3000m Run

8. Matthew Marshall                      8:58.93

3000m Steeplechase

2. Teghan Henderson                     11:14.90

-- Rebecca Greenwall                     DNF

3000m Steeplechase

1. Nathan Wanuch                           9:21.03

3. Taylor Hawk                                   10:34.12

4. Zack Darby                                     10:48.24