COLUMBIA, Mo. – Saint Louis opened its 2024 campaign at the Mizzou XC Opener on Friday morning at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo.
 
In the women's 5K, four of the Billikens' top five finishers were newcomers. Transfer Emily Morden led the Billikens with a fifth-place finish, crossing the line in 18:02.9. Freshman Emery Mayfield pulled in next for SLU with a ninth-place showing of 18:24.4.
 
Also running in SLU's top five was sophomore returnee Starr Scott (16th, 18:51.4), freshman Molly Sewell (19:05.7) and freshman Clara Gillen (19:24.1).
 
On the men's side, junior Lukasz Iwanowski led the Billikens in the 6K with a time of 18:37.2, good for fifth overall. Freshman Manny Vela finished sixth with a time of 18:42.6.
 
Junior Tyler Schweizer scored a top-10 mark, finishing in ninth with a time of 18:51.3. A host of Billikens pulled in next, led by newcomers John Giricz (11th, 19:33.2) and Brady Huggins (12th, 19:37.3) to complete the scoring.
 
SLU is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 21, for the Billiken Invitational, which will be held at St. Vincent Park at 7335 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Louis, MO 63133.