Alabama Women Finish Seventh at the NCAA South Region Championships
11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM
Nov. 14, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - For the second consecutive season, the Alabama women's cross country team turned in their best finish since 2000 when they placed 10th. The meet was hosted by Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. at the Harry Pritchett Running Park.
The seventh place finish by the Crimson Tide is the highest team finish since they placed seventh in 1999. This is also the fifth consecutive season that Alabama has had at least one All-South Region performer.
"As far as the finish for the season, that's a good solid season," cross country coach Randy Hasenbank said. "This the best season, collectively since 1999-00. We know that we've beaten three of the four teams ahead of us this year so the ladies are a bit disappointed in their team finish. We were hoping to run up there around third. Its very good progress, but we're not where we want to be. We want to be competing at the NCAA Championships."
The Crimson Tide was paced by Kelsey Johnson who turned a finish of 23rd and a time of 21:04.78 over the 6,000 meter course. Johnson earned her second All-South Region honor. Haley Moody followed closely in 36th and a time of 21:35.06.
The next three Alabama runners were separated by just three tenths of a second. Sarah Gilmore led that group placing 55th and a time of 22:00.49. Leigh Gilmore (56th) and Sara Vaughn (57th) crossed the line just after with times of 22:00.52 and 22:00.79, respectively.
Elsbeth Denton (71st) and Katlyn Will (91st) also competed for Alabama and they finished with times of 22:22.72 and 22:53.40, respectively.
In the team standings, No. 3 Florida bested second place No. 9 Florida State by a score of 33-54. The Gators and the Seminoles automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships. Tennessee finished third with a point total of 102 and could advance to the NCAA Championships with a wild card berth. Georgia (114) and Vanderbilt (164) rounded out the top five teams in fourth and fifth, respectively.
"I think we can all see the team is progressing," head track and field coach Sandy Fowler said. "They are advancing forward which is what we always want. I'm going to give kudos to Coach Hasenbank. He's recruiting tough girls and they are buying into his philosophy and when u do that, things start to happen. This shows the direction that we're going. Kelsey [Johnson] did a fantastic job getting All-South honors. She will have many of those as she progresses over the next few years, which is exciting for her."
Rebecca Lowe of Florida won the individual title with a time of 20:03.29.
"Our team did really well," individual champion Lowe said. "We were trying to qualify and run as easy as possible. To get the individual win and feel so comfortable is quite good. We're excited for nationals and looking forward to the big one."
Alabama closed out their season today, as they did not qualify for the NCAA Championships.
