SoCon announces cross country runners of the week

Mercer’s Yianni Pothalakis and Reagan Cooke have been named The Southern Conference men’s and women’s cross-country runners of the week, respectively, after all competition Sept. 18-24.   

Mercer hosted the MGA/Julius Johnson Invitational on Sept. 21 in Macon, Georgia.  

Pothalakis, a junior from Suwanee, Georgia, placed second with an 8K time of 24:11.13, a personal best in the event. Pothalakis’ performance helped lead the Mercer men to a first-place team finish.  

Cooke finished with a 5K time of 17:49.11, also a personal best. The Greenville, South Carolina, native placed first individually, helping lead the Mercer women to a first place finish out of 14 teams. 

Mercer will return to action at the Live in Lou Classic in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 5. 

 Also nominated (Men): Colin Keck (UNCG), Nolan Pedota (ETSU) 
Also nominated (Women): Rebekah Howard (ETSU), Victoria Sosa (UNCG) 

2024 Southern Conference Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week  
Sept. 4     Drew Zink, Western Carolina  
Sept. 11    Evan Guzman, Furman     
Sept. 18    Carson Williams, Furman 
Sept. 25    Yianni Pothalakis, Mercer 

2024 Southern Conference Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week  
Sept. 4     Edie Smith, Samford  
Sept. 11    Kaylie Armitage, Furman   
Sept. 18    Lesley Boyd, Chattanooga 
Sept. 25    Reagan Cooke, Mercer