Alabama
Joe Piane Invitational
Alabama Cross Country Set for Friday’s Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend
9/30/2021 2:47:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
The Crimson Tide is sending its top runners to take on the toughest competition of the season
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Alabama cross country returns to action on Friday at the Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend, Ind., at the Burke Golf Course.
The women will compete over a 5,000-meter course, with the race getting underway at 9:30 a.m. CT. The men will race over a 5 mile course starting at 10:15 a.m. CT. Friday's races will be the only ones outside the south for the Crimson Tide during this cross country season.
All-American Esther Gitahi Said
"I'm really excited to see how I can do in my first race of the season. It always makes me a little nervous, the first race of the season, because you don't know what to expect, but I feel like this will be a good meet. We'll be able to work together, because even if you're having a bad day, when see your teammates right next to you, it gives you energy."
All-American Eliud Kipsang Said
"I think there's going to be a big difference between the North Alabama Showcase and racing at Notre Dame. We've been working really hard in training, putting in the miles and upping our speed. So I am really looking forward to Friday."
The Fields
- The women's field has 13 nationally ranked teams, including No. 6 Alabama, along with No. 1 NC State, No. 3 New Mexico, No. 7 Minnesota, No. 8 Washington, No. 15 Ole Miss, No. 17 Michigan State, No. 18 Florida State, No. 19 Notre Dame, No. 21 Indiana, No. 23 Illinois, No. 29 Furman and No. 29 Princeton
- The men's field includes 11 nationally ranked squads, including No. 15 Alabama as well as No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 10 Butler, No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 19 Furman, No. 25 Michigan, No. 26 Indiana, No. 28 Weber State, No. 29 Florida State, No. 30 Michigan State and No. 30 Purdue
The Crimson Tide Women
- The women have eight slated to compete in South Bend, including Flomena Asekol, Mercy Chelangat, Kaylie Crews, Esther Gitahi, Leahrose Mami, Megan Patton, Riley Schelp and Amaris Tyynismaa
- All-Americans Chelangat, Gitahi and Tyynismaa are making their 2021 cross country debut
- Asekol finished second at the North Alabama Showcase in her Crimson Tide debut
- As a team, Alabama finished third at the North Alabama Showcase with 126 points
The Alabama Men
- The men have eight slated to compete in South Bend, including Carson Burian, Hillary Cheruiyot, Jack Hawes, Victor Kiprop, Eliud Kipsang, Rich Saenz, Paul Selden and Jacob Wiggers
- Kiprop won his first Alabama race, taking top honors at the North Alabama Showcase, followed by Kipsang and Cheruiyot in his UA debut
- Kiprop was named the SEC Runner of the Week, while Cheruiyot was the SEC Freshman of the Week following the Showcase
- Alabama won the Showcase after tallying 25 points
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Players Mentioned
