Milligan University

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Sept. 2, 2016) - Milligan College's cross country teams traveled to Western Carolina University for their first meet of the 2016 season. They sent partial squads, with the women competing in a two-mile race and the men in the 5K.
 
Milligan's No.10 ranked women's team finished third overall, behind winner College of Charleston and host Western Carolina University. Junior JJ Robinson was the highest finisher for the Buffaloes, finishing sixth overall with a time of 11:48.19.
 
Making an impressive debut, freshman standout Katlyn Haas finished eighth overall with a time of 12:01.61.
 
Also placing high for the Buffaloes, Sarah Kate Gartman finished 15th with a time of 12:20.51. Freshman Erica Stone made a strong debut for Milligan. The Kingsport native finished 27th overall and had a time of 12:37.49.
 
Junior Ashton Bunch rounded out the top half of the field, finishing 35th with a time of 12:45.51.
 
Haley Keylon finished 47th, Carly Owen 53rd and Hannah Bell 56th.
         
On the men's side, the No.26 ranked Buffaloes finished fourth overall behind a strong performance from All-American Taylor Tafelsky. The senior from Hudsonville, Michigan finished second overall, less than three seconds behind the winner.
 
Another Buffalo freshman made a strong debut. Mitch Bronstetter finished ninth overall with a time of 16:04.59.
 
Senior Peter Mermilliod finished 36th overall with a time of 16:59.88. Following him, Sam Bratton finished 43rd, Carson Kirby 50th and Hunter Lewis 65th.
 
Also making their debuts for Milligan, freshmen Cory Aulich and Sam Tilleros finished 54th and 57th respectively.

The Buffaloes return to action in a few weeks at the Bulldog Stampede on Sept. 24. Race time is scheduled for 9 a.m.