MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – William & Mary cross country turned in a strong opening performance at the Spider Alumni Open on Saturday morning at Pole Green Park, finishing second in both the men's and women's races.
 
Highlighting the Tribe's effort was senior Perry Irons who placed fourth for the Green and Gold women's team, while the men produced an impressive spread with its top six runners finishing within less than five seconds of one another.
 
On the men's side, W&M opened the day by taking second among a 13-team field, its best finish at the event since winning it won four-straight seasons from 2016-19. The Tribe was seventh after the opening 1K, but improved each kilometer after that, before jumping from fourth at the 5K mark to finish second at the end.
 
As a team, the Tribe finished behind only No. 6-ranked Virginia (16 points) with 80 points and also finished ahead of Southeast Region preseason No. 10 George Mason, who was fifth at 121 points.
 
Redshirt freshman Caleb Wilcox led the way for the Tribe, placing 15th overall at 18:35.7, followed closely by senior Luke Ellwood just four tenths of a second back in 16th. Redshirt freshman Collin Walsh, a CAA Champion during the outdoor track season, was just a second behind in 17th at 18:36.2. Sophomore Will Griesmer (18:36.7) and junior Hayes Trapp (18:37.3) rounded out the Tribe's scoring five in 19th and 20th, respectively. Sophomore Wyatt Townsend was the Tribe's sixth finisher, giving W&M a gap of only 4.7 seconds, placing 21st.
 
Running unattached at the event, freshman Hudson Atrosh finished 10th at 18:23.8.
 
Irons turned in the top performance on either the women's or men's side with a top-five showing. Competing in her first cross country as a collegiate runner, Irons covered the 4K course in 13:34.8 to finish fourth out of 167 runners.
 
The other fourth Tribe scorers all placed in the top 20. Junior Jennifer Tsai (14:00.9) and senior Kelly Ann Sutterfield (14:02.5) finished less than two seconds apart in 11th and 12th place. Both runners improved substantially from last season at the Spiders Alumni Opener. Tsai ran a time that was nearly 40 seconds faster in 2025, improving 15 total spots. Sutterfield moved up nine spots from last season, running a time that was almost 24 seconds faster.
 
Sophomore Maddie Gypson (14:10.0) and freshman Veronica Znajda (14:15.2) rounded out the Tribe's top five in 15th and 18th.
 
The Tribe returns to action at Friday, Sept. 12, when it takes part in the Virginia Invitational at the Panorama Farms Course. The course will also host the NCAA Southeast Regional in November.
 
Men's Results
Team
1. #6 Virginia – 16
2. William & Mary – 80
3. Richmond – 89
4. American – 95
5. George Mason – 121
6. VCU - 154
7. Christopher Newport – 202
8. Longwood – 215
9. Mary Washington – 257
10. VMI – 310
11. Hampton – 350
12. St. Mary's (Md.) – 356
13. Virginia State – 369
 
Top 5
1. Nicholas Bendtsen (UVA) 17:57.6
2. Justin Wachtel (UVA) 17:57.7
3. Andrew Jones (UVA) 17:57.8
4. Will Daley (UVA) 17:57.9
5. Biruk Beardsley (Mason) 18:02.5
 
W&M Results
15. Caleb Wilcox 18:35.7
16. Luke Ellwood 18:36.1
17. Collin Walsh 18:36.2
19. Will Griesmer 18:36.7
20. Hayes Trapp 18:37.3
21. Wyatt Townsend 18:40.4
31. Henry Anderson 18:50.6
32. Peyton Golden 19:00.1
49. Eric Fagan 19:23.0
75. Quinn Green 19:59.7
 
Attached W&M Results
10. Hudson Atrosh 18:23.8
18. Nolan Yeagle 18:36.5
24. Eli Phillips 18:41.9
34. Hayden Goodman 19:06.9
42. Colby Twyman 19:15.8
58. Brady Brennan 19:37.4

Women's Results
Team Scores
1. #20 Virginia – 18
2. William & Mary – 59
3. Richmond – 88
4. American – 106
5. James Madison – 157
6. Longwood – 172
7. George Mason – 174
8. Christopher Newport – 240
9. VCU – 273
10. Hampton – 293
11. Mary Washington – 345
12. Marymount – 388
13. St. Mary's (Md.) – 405
14. Virginia State – 426
 
Top 5
1. Stella Kermes (UVA) 13:17.3
2. Mary Ellen Eudaly (UVA) 13:20.0
3. Ella Woehlcke (UVA) 13:26.1
4. Perry Irons (W&M) 13:34.8
5. Cate Desousa (UVA) 13:35.7
 
W&M Results
4. Perry Irons (W&M) 13:34.8
11. Jennifer Tsai 14:00.9
12. Kelly Ann Sutterfield 14:02.5
15. Maddie Gypson 14:10.0
18. Veronica Znajda 14:15.2
32. Celia Dawson 14:39.6
37. Chloe Miller 14:41.9
38. Hannah Stevens 14:43.3
46. Tessa Dobrinski 14:51.7
48. Sofia Istnick 14:52.4
49. Allison McDonald 14:55.4
66. Taylor Gibson 15:15.9
70. Caroline Jones 15:19.4