Women's Cross Country Finishes Second at Belmont Opener
9/4/2009 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 4, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Alabama women's cross country team concluded their first meet of the season Friday night at the Belmont Opener at Vaughn's Creek Course in Percy Warner Park with three ladies placing in the top 10.
The Crimson Tide were paced along the 4,000 meter course by sophomore Kelsey Johnson who shattered her personal best by over 20 seconds running a time of 14:25.61 to finish third overall. Junior Haley Moody also set a personal best with her time of 14:43.66 to place seventh and she was followed by freshman Katlyn Will who crossed the line in ninth with a time of 14:46.56.
Sophomore Sara Vaughn crossed the line in 17th place recording a time of 14:59.71. A trio of Tide runners followed with all coming through the finish chute within one second of each other led by sophomore Leigh Gilmore in 21st and a career best time of 15:04.04. Freshman Elsbeth Denton (22nd) and sophomore Sarah Gilmore (23rd) posted times of 15:04.44 and 15:04.71, respectively. Sarah Gilmore's time was also a career best.
Also finishing in the top 25 and within one second of each other were junior Megan Williams (24th) and sophomore Andrea Torske (25th) running career best times of 15:07.43 and 15:07.92.
Rounding out the Alabama squad was freshman Lindsey McKee in 50th with a time of 16:16.45, freshman Elise Goubet in 63rd with a time of 16:46.41 and senior Rue Chitwood in 69th posting a time of 17:01.34.
"Today was a great opener," cross country coach Randy Hasenbank said. "We've been doing a.m. practices so I think the heat was a bit of a factor, but everybody really got after it right at the start. Our depth that we showed today is the best it's been in some time here at Alabama, especially since I've been here. I'm really pleased with everybody's fitness level and our freshmen did a very good job for their first meet."
Jackie Areson of Tennessee won the individual title with a time 14:04.18.
In team scoring, Vanderbilt claimed the title with 42 points as Alabama was a close second with 57 total points. UAB (109), Middle Tennessee (124) and Tennessee (129) rounded out the top five teams.
There were a total of 85 competitors and nine teams that posted a score.
"I think the team ran really well," head track and field coach Sandy Fowler said. "Several girls ran a personal best in this opener and that's a kudos to them in regards to the work they put in all year. I was pleased with our freshmen Katlyn Will and Elsbeth Denton as they ran very well for their first meet. I think everybody has room for improvement before the conference meet and we look forward to seeing that."
The Crimson Tide will take a week off from competition before hosting the 21st Annual Crimson Classic at Harry Pritchett Running Park on Sept. 18.
