Women Finish Sixth at SEC Cross Country Championships
11/1/2010 12:00:00 AM
Nov. 1, 2010
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of Alabama women's cross country team turned in a sixth-place finish at the Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships Monday morning.
Florida successfully defended its 2009 title with a first place finish in the team scoring while Georgia's Kristie Krueger took top individual honors with a 20:41.25 finish on the 6-kilometer course. The Crimson Tide had all five of its scoring runners finish in a 45-second window and finish in the top half of the field.
"We ran pretty well and it was a solid performance but not a great one," UA head coach Randy Hasenbank said. "We had hoped to finish in the top four, but with this finish and those over the last few years we have solidified ourselves in the top half of the league. Hopefully that will provide the motivation and spark for this team to take the next step."
Hasenbank added that the squad ran very well as a team but were unable to push runners to the front of the race which ultimately hindered the team in scoring.
Kelsey Johnson turned in her top performance of the year with a 22nd-place finish and a time of 21:45.32, her fastest 6-kilometer time of the season.
"She ran a good, strong race and really competed," Hasenbank said of Johnson's performance. "I think she felt as good as she's felt running all year and it showed for her."
Leigh Gilmore followed closely behind Johnson in 25th place with a time of 21:49.58 and Andrea Torske set her second personal best in as many meets with a time of 21:58.15 in 33rd place.
Elsbeth Denton and Dayle Van Ess closed out the Tide's scoring in 48th and 51st place with times of 22:27.42 and 22:32.12, respectively.
The Tide will have a weekend off from competition to prepare for the NCAA South Region Championships on Nov. 13 in Birmingham, Ala.
2010 SEC Women's Cross Country Championships
Columbia, S.C. - 6 Kilometer
Team Results
1. Florida - 60
2. Arkansas - 61
3. Vanderbilt - 76
4. Georgia - 130
5. Mississippi State - 156
6. Alabama - 177
7. Auburn - 190
8. Kentucky - 207
9. Mississippi - 209
10. South Carolina - 251
11. LSU - 279
12. Tennessee - 326
Alabama Individual Results
22. Kelsey Johnson - 21:45.32
25. Leigh Gilmore - 21:49.58
33. Andrea Torske - 21:58.15
48. Elsbeth Denton - 22:27.42
51. Dayle Van Ess - 22:32.12
62. Katlyn Will - 22:54.27
66. Sara Vaughn - 23:01.19
71. Claire Turner - 23:05.69
74. Haley Moody - 23:09.44
78. Megan Williams - 23:11.60
