2008 Woodie Awards
Cross country takes fifth place in first meet of year
Val Kikkert
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Sports
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The men and women's cross-country teams each took fifth place after a hot and humid race at the Alabama Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Friday. The event kicked off the season for the Bulldogs, giving them a positive outlook and a snapshot of potential for the fall.
Samford competed against a mixture of Southeastern schools during the event. On the women's side, UAB, Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss took first through fourth, while Alabama, Mississippi State, LSU and Jacksonville State placed ahead of the men.
"We ran against outstanding competition, some of which are in the top ten teams in the Southeast. I'm really pleased with the outcome of the race being our first for the year," Coach Glen McWaters said.
Red-shirt senior Lauren Blankenship led the Lady Bulldogs, winning first place with a time of 17:17.11. This time is 12 seconds longer than her record time of 17:05 on the same course two years ago. McWaters attributes some of the added seconds to the intense heat the team experienced during the race.
After raining all day Thursday and Friday, the skies cleared just before the women's 5K race. McWaters and the runners said that weather plays a significant role on the outcome of any event.
"The weather affects each runner," senior Drew Anderwald said.
The women placed fifth out of 13 teams. Sophomore Lauren Pilcher and freshmen Jillian Klassen, Hillary Neal and Marissa Brokaw placed in the top five for the Bulldogs.
This meet was Neal's first cross country event ever. She played volleyball and ran track in high school, but never ran more than one mile in any race. McWaters is excited about her potential and development throughout the season.
Two of the women's team's runners did not run Friday due to injuries. Senior Britney Almaguer is experiencing nerve problems but is expected to run this weekend. However, senior Robyn DeBenedet and red-shirt freshman Ina Ables are recovering from injuries that may keep them out longer. DeBenedet has a stress reaction in her foot and Ables twisted her ankle during practice last week.
Samford competed against a mixture of Southeastern schools during the event. On the women's side, UAB, Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss took first through fourth, while Alabama, Mississippi State, LSU and Jacksonville State placed ahead of the men.
"We ran against outstanding competition, some of which are in the top ten teams in the Southeast. I'm really pleased with the outcome of the race being our first for the year," Coach Glen McWaters said.
Red-shirt senior Lauren Blankenship led the Lady Bulldogs, winning first place with a time of 17:17.11. This time is 12 seconds longer than her record time of 17:05 on the same course two years ago. McWaters attributes some of the added seconds to the intense heat the team experienced during the race.
After raining all day Thursday and Friday, the skies cleared just before the women's 5K race. McWaters and the runners said that weather plays a significant role on the outcome of any event.
"The weather affects each runner," senior Drew Anderwald said.
The women placed fifth out of 13 teams. Sophomore Lauren Pilcher and freshmen Jillian Klassen, Hillary Neal and Marissa Brokaw placed in the top five for the Bulldogs.
This meet was Neal's first cross country event ever. She played volleyball and ran track in high school, but never ran more than one mile in any race. McWaters is excited about her potential and development throughout the season.
Two of the women's team's runners did not run Friday due to injuries. Senior Britney Almaguer is experiencing nerve problems but is expected to run this weekend. However, senior Robyn DeBenedet and red-shirt freshman Ina Ables are recovering from injuries that may keep them out longer. DeBenedet has a stress reaction in her foot and Ables twisted her ankle during practice last week.