The Kent State men’s and women’s cross-country teams opened their season with impressive finishes at the Tommy Evans Invitations Thursday, hosted by the University Of Akron at Firestone Metro Park.

The women finished in fourth place out of five teams, falling just 10 points back of the Akron Zips. Junior Paige Foster was the fastest runner, finishing in fourth place with a time of 18:42. Sophomore Rachel Slingluff followed Foster closely, crossing the finish line two seconds later.

Malone runner Tina Oprean led the field with a top time of 18:32.

The seniors led the way for the men, running the fastest times for the Flashes. Steve Fischer, who finished in a blazing 20:32, secured the fifth place spot. Andrew Goodwin, who finished in eighth place at the invitational in 2012, finished in eleventh place this year with a time of 20:42. Redshirt senior Julian Meyer finished between the two in ninth place.

Jared Fleming, Matt Khal and Logan Kettlewell all finished in the top 20 of the meet. Youngstown State runner Eric Rupe posted the top men’s time in the field at 20:23.

The Flashes will travel to the Iona Meet of Champions in Bronx, N.Y. next week against host Iona College and other schools.

Contact Meghan Blaha at [email protected].