Blacksburg, Va. -- Virginia Tech’s cross country squad welcomed Liberty University to Tech Cross Country course for the season-opening Tech Relays. Men’s and women’s athletes paried up for a long distance relay race, with the men’s and women’s teams running total distances of 14k and 10k, respectively.

In the men’s race, Tech’s team of sophomores Jason Cusack and Ryan Hagen earned the win at 42:52.00. Hagen’s second split of 10:40.00 in the final 3.5k stretch helped them narrowly edge out Liberty’s team of Josh McDonald and David Ricksecker by only one second, with Liberty’s team coming in at 42:53.00.

Sophomore Casey Gresham and freshman Mary Catherine Sowder were Tech’s highest placing team in the women’s race, coming in second at 37:50.00. Junior Erin Stehle and sophomore Frances Dowd weren’t far behind, coming in at 37:58.30 to place third. Sophomore Jennifer van der Sloot and senior Jackie Merrick rounded out the Hokie teams, placing seventh (40:03.20). Liberty’s Khristina Kanagy and Jennifer Klugh won the race (37:18.90).

The cross country teams will be in action again two weeks from now, hosting the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational on Friday, Sept. 17. Races are set to begin at 6 p.m. Check in at www.hokiesports.com for updates on the cross country team all season.