Troy University Athletics
Troy University
JSU Foothill Invitational
Troy Kicks Off XC Season Strong at JSU Foothills
8/29/2025 10:14:00 PM | Cross Country
OXFORD, Ala. – Troy cross country opened its 2025 season Friday at the JSU Foothills Invitational, with the men finishing fifth and the women placing sixth at Choccolocco Park.
I'm really pleased with this start to the season, head coach Brian Cunningham said. For a first race, I thought we competed quite well on tired legs. We had a number of PRs and course bests. I'm definitely excited to see us continue to compete well, get stronger and work together as the season progresses.
On the men's side, junior Caden Blackman led the Trojans with a 12th-place finish at 15:25.10, beating last season's mark by five positions and nearly 20 seconds. Lane Watson followed close behind in 19th at 15:35.54, while freshman Caden Phillippi crossed in 22nd at 15:41.97. Patterson Graham (31st, 16:07.03) and Ethan Newsome (38th, 16:18.76) rounded out Troy's scoring five. The Trojans totaled 119 points to take fifth, finishing just behind UT Southern (104) and ahead of West Georgia (130).
For the women, senior Makenna Calbert paced Troy with a 20th-place showing in 18:38.10. Sophomore Arianna Elder (36th, 19:20.66) and sophomore Haley Wilson
, who made her cross country debut (48th, 19:38.48), provided steady performances. At the same time, Abigail Carr (53rd, 19:53.67) and sophomore Giulianna Rivero (73rd, 20:54.63) completed the scoring lineup. The Trojans posted 198 points for sixth, edging West Georgia (202) and finishing just behind Alabama State (164).
The next contest for the Trojans is on Friday, Sept. 12, as they head to Huntsville, Ala., for the Southern Showcase.
Men's 5K (Team 5th – 119 pts)
Caden Blackman – 12th – 15:25.10^
Lane Watson – 19th – 15:35.54^
Caden Phillippi – 22nd – 15:41.97^
Patterson Graham – 34th – 16:07.03^
Ethan Newsome – 38th – 16:18.76^
Gavan Baxley – 59th – 16:46.20
Bennett Phillips – 66th – 16:59.33
Logan Stewart – 70th – 17:03.42^
Jonas Koturenka – 87th – 17:46.82^
Andrew Bradshaw – 108th – 18:20.14
Women's 5K (Team 6th – 198 pts)
Makenna Calbert – 20th – 18:38.10
Arianna Elder – 36th – 19:20.66
Haley Wilson – 48th – 19:38.48^
Abigail Carr – 53rd – 19:53.67^
Giulianna Rivero – 73rd – 20:54.63
Aisley McMeen – 78th – 21:04.44
Reece Knowlton – 87th – 21:25.40
Sabria Wooden – 101st – 22:26.50^
^ - personal record
Players Mentioned
