Alabama
Vanderbilt Commodore Classic
Jami Reed Places First at Commodore Classic
9/19/2020 10:37:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country, Cross Country
Trio of Crimson Tide women finish top-five in Saturday’s season opener
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Alabama cross country teams opened the 2020 season in an all-Southeastern Conference showdown at the Commodore Classic Saturday morning. Jami Reed led the Crimson Tide women to a trio of top-five finishes, as she crossed the finish line victorious in the women's 6k at Percy Warner Park.
Today's @AlabamaTrack race ends a 1??9??3??-day span where no @UA_Athletics competitions took place.
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) September 19, 2020
WE ARE BACK! ??????#RollTide pic.twitter.com/FUyIOpPt5m
The Crimson Tide women took second to Kentucky (38-59), while the Alabama men's squad finished fourth (111) at the Vaughn's Gap CC Course.
Leading the Lineup for the Women
- Reed ran a strong race to win the women's 6k, crossing in 20:57.5, nearly 10 seconds faster than Sarah Chapman of Kentucky, who finished second in 21:07.2.
- In addition to Reed, two more Crimson Tide women finished in the top-five.
- Mercy Chelangat crossed the finish line at 21:14.4 to place third and right beside her, Esther Gitahi, racing in her first cross country meet for Alabama in two years, came in fourth place with a time of 21:14.6.
- Fellow teammates Sophie Spada (28th, 23:11.3), Leahrose Mami (31st, 23:18.5), Alex Wilkins (38th, 27:03.4) and Caroline McGrath (39th, 27:15.1) rounded out the runners for the UA women respectively.
Leading the Lineup for the Men
- Sophomore Jacob Wiggers was the top finisher for the Crimson Tide men, posting 25:36.1 in the 8k race to finish 16th overall.
- Joining him in the top-25 were Grady Shiflet (21st, 25:48) and Paul Selden (23rd, 25:53.2).
- Jack Hawes (27th, 26:10.3), Jace Jones (30th, 26:28.9), Garrett Suhr (32nd, 26:34.1) and Mateo Barreto (33rd, 26:43.7) made their Crimson Tide debut, while Rich Saenz (34th, 26:50.2) rounded out the men's lineup.
Women's Results
1. Jami Reed (20:57.5)
3. Mercy Chelangat (21:14.4)
4. Esther Gitahi (21:14.6)
28. Sophie Spada (23:11.3)
31. Leahrose Mami (23:18.5)
38. Alex Wilkins (27:03.4)
39. Caroline McGrath (27:15.1)
Men's Results
16. Jacob Wiggers (25:36.1)
21. Grady Shiflet (25:48.1)
23. Paul Selden (25:53.2)
27. Jack Hawes (26:10.3)
30. Jace Jones (26:28.9)
32. Garrett Suhr (26:34.1)
33. Mateo Barreto (26:43.7)
34. Rich Saenz (26:50.2)
UP NEXT
Both Alabama teams are scheduled to travel to the Florida State Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla., on Oct. 2. The 2020 SEC Championships are scheduled for Oct. 30 in Baton Rouge, La.
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaTrack on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
