Alabama Women's Cross Country Team Takes Second
10/5/2003 12:00:00 AM
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The Alabama Women's Cross Country team took second at the 5-kilometer Blue Ridge Mountain Open in brisk conditions that couldn't cool off the Tide's performances.
Of the Crimson Tide's eight runners, six posted personal best times. Alabama's top-5 all finished in the top-20 and under 19 minutes, including freshman Tara Enebak's team best 18:19, which placed her 11th.
"It was a good effort by the girls tonight, especially in conditions that were a little chilly at 50 degrees and windy," coach Steve Keith said. "We had a very tight pack of 1-5 runners at only 23 or so seconds separating our first runner from No. 5, which is better than I had hoped for."
The Tide scored finished second with 67 points, while Virginia Tech had the meet low at 19 points. Host school Appalachian State took third with 98 points.
Four of Alabama's top five were freshmen, with sophomore Blair Davis making her season debut a good one, with a personal best of 18:34, which was good for 16th place. Freshman Julia Hicks took 12th with an 18:23 effort while classmate Elizabeth Wancowicz was 14th at 18:28, another career best. Rookie Meg Carnes rounded out the scoring, taking 19th with a personal record of 18:42.
"I had the group go out a little more conservatively because of the 3500-feet altitude and they actually got out a little too slow," Keith said. "But they managed to pass more than 20 runners between the end of the first mile and the finish. Overall Virginia Tech went out much harder and we couldn't close the gap, but it was still a very good effort for us one through five. We will really build on this towards the championship part of our season."
This meet marks the Tide's third consecutive top-5 finish of the season. Alabama returns to action Friday, October 10 at the Auburn Invitational.
Alabama Finishes
11 Tara Enebak 18:19 (pr)
12 Julia Hicks 18:23
14 Elizabeth Wancowicz 18:28 (pr)
16 Blair Davis 18:34 (pr)
19 Megan Carnes 18:42 (pr)
39 Jill Bryant 19:46 (pr)
53 Kara Nowak 20:34
62 Shannon Flournoy 20:49 (pr)
Place Team Score
1. Virginia Tech 19 pts
2. ALABAMA 67 pts
3. Appalachian State 98 pts
4. Davidson 111 pts
5. UNC Greensboro 123 pts
6. Virginia Intermont 221 pts
7. Elon 225 pts
8. Milligan 230 pts
