The University of Maryland Eastern Shore cross country program competed at its fourth meet of the season Saturday afternoon at the Don Cathcart Invitational, hosted by Salisbury University. Seniors Banele Mkabela and Siyabonga Mbatha placed first and second, respectively, in the men's 8K, while junior Nkanyezi Ziqubu finished sixth.

Mkabela won the men's 8K with a time of 24:50.1. Mbatha followed closely behind in second at 24:51.1, a personal best for the Johannesburg, South Africa, native. Ziqubu, who won the 8K at the UMES Invitational, placed sixth with a time of 25:04.5.

The women's 6K was led by junior Rihanna Gayle, who finished with a season-best time of 26:32.8. Freshman Khetarah Johnson was the second Hawk to cross the finish line, completing the race in 28:05.1.

As a team, the UMES men placed third out of six teams with 53 points, while the women's program did not record a team score.

Final scores for the men's 8k:
TCNJ: 38
Salisbury: 45
Maryland Eastern Shore: 53
Batten University: 123
George Washington: 164
Delaware Tech: 167
Regent University: 174


Final scores for the women's 6k:
Salisbury: 44
Johns Hopkins: 53
TCNJ: 54
Batten University: 67
Regent University: 156
George Washington: 176
District of Columbia: 217
Delaware Tech CC: 223
Anne Arundel CC: 227
Gallaudet: 243
Howard CC: 267


Times from the women's race are as follows:
 

Place	Name	Team	Time	Score
1	Ester Zar	Batten University	20:23.05	+1
2	Anna Bodmer	Salisbury	21:10.04	+2
3	Brynn Crandell	Salisbury	21:28.04	+3
4	Storrie Kulynych-Irvin	Johns Hopkins	21:38.07	+4
5	Teagan Walker	TCJN	21:41.06	+5

Times from the men's race are as follows:
 

Place	Name	Team	Time	Score
1	Banele Mkabela	Maryland Eastern Shore	24:50.01	+1
2	Siyabonga Mbatha	Maryland Eastern Shore	24:51.01	+2
3	Phil Pace	TCJN	24:51.09	+3
4	Gabe Riling	Salisbury	24:53.03	+4
5	Joshua Santiago	TCJN	24:58.06	+5

For full results and performances from the UMES Invitational, visit 

Women's - https://live.usp-sports.com/meets/78609/events/xc/2926526
Men's - https://live.usp-sports.com/meets/78609/events/xc/2926527
 
For updates on UMES cross country and track & field, visit UMESHawkSports.com and follow the team on Twitter (@UMESHawkTFXC) and Instagram (@umeshawktfxc).