Tide Finishes Fourth at Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational
9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 27, 2008
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Alabama women's cross country team ran their last competitive 5k of the season today at the 36th Annual Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Ill.
The Crimson Tide put together a team finish of fourth in a field of 32 teams with 108 points bettering last year's finish of eighth. Northwestern University claimed the team title at the meet with 76 points.
Sara Vaughn led the Tide turning in a time of 17:37 over the 5,000 meter course. Kelsey Johnson followed closely in third place with a time of 17:49. Sarah Gilmore (18:47) and Andrea Torske (18:49) finished 26th and 29th, respectively. Leigh Gilmore (19:20) rounded out the Tide scoring crossing the line in 52nd place.
Other finishers for the Crimson Tide were Megan Williams (19:24) in 56th and Rue Chitwood (20:19) in 124th.
"I felt like our young runners did really well and they ran straight to the front like they wanted to win," head coach Randy Hasenbank said. "Sara and Kelsey are very motivated and continue to pace the squad."
In team scoring, Northwestern captured first place, Missouri (93) grabbed second, Malone (97) took third, while Alabama (108) finished fourth. Host team Loyola rounded out the top five with 124 points.
The Crimson Tide will take two weeks off to train before traveling to Fayetteville, Ark. on Oct. 18 to compete at the Chile Pepper Invitational.
