SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. -  The Ursinus Men's Cross Country team opened the 2022 season with a strong showing at the Shippensburg Piper Alumni/XC Challenge on Friday night.
 
The Bears finished second of the nine teams in the field with 73 points that included four Division II teams, three Division III teams, a community college, and a group of Shippensburg alumni.
 
Sophomore Paul Faggioli paced the Bears with an impressive seventh-place finish on his time of 19:58.2 on the 6k course. His classmate, Tucker McGrath, followed just behind in 11th place with his time of 20:01.10.
 
Sophomore Christian Rosado placed 20th overall with a time of 20:41.4 and freshman Liam Johnston in his collegiate debut was right behind in 23rd on his time of 20:50.0.
 
A pair of freshman earned top-30 finishes as well with AJ Lute in 26th (20:51.8) and Ryan Martin in 30th with his time of 21:07.2
 
Sophomore Ethan Chambers came in 41st with his time of 21:30.4 and junior Henry Wilt rounded out the top-eight in 48th overall on a time of 21:43.1
 
Sophomores Ean Chasinoff (22:01.5) and Jack Fisher (22:04.6), juniors Steve Wilkins (22:06.0) and Payton Stanziani (22:34.7) plus sophomore Will Gillette (22:35.8) all competed as well for the Bears
 
The Bears return to action next Saturday at the Dutchmen Invitational, hosted by Lebanon Valley College at Union Canal Tunnel Park with an 11:00 a.m. start.