Women's Cross Country Finishes Fifth in Their Season Opener
9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ?? The University of Alabama women's cross country team opened their 2007 season with a fifth place team finish at the Belmont Opener hosted by Vanderbilt University.
Crimson Tide freshman Haley Moody was the Tide's top finisher and seventh overall with a time of 14:37.56. Today was the first race that 2006 NCAA qualifier Julia Hicks was not the Tide's top finisher in over two years.
"I thought we got off to a great start," cross country coach Randy Hasenbank said. "We ran well and competed well today."
The Belmont Opener 4k race consisted of 16 teams and 134 runners. Behind Moody for the Tide was Farrah Stewart in 18th place with a time of 15:10, Jen Gray in 22nd place with a time of 15:19 and Ashley Ard in 33rd place with a time of 15:45.
The next three Tide finishers are all freshman competing in their first race as a member of the Alabama women's cross country team. Jordan Harper brought home a 36th place finish with a time of 15:55, Meghan Hawkins was 46th with a 16:14 time and Megan Williams was 56th with a time of 17:03.
Also finishing for the Tide was Rue Chitwood in 69th place with a time of 17:03, freshman Megan Hughes was 83rd with a time17:38 and Anna Day was 90th with a time of 18:06.
The Tide will return to action with the annual Crimson Classic at the Harry Prichett Cross Country course on Friday, September 14.
-UA-
