Cross Country Finishes 10th at Gamecock Invitational
9/1/2007 1:05:00 AM | Track & Field/XC
COLUMBIA, S.C. ? The Georgia Southern cross country team finished in 10th place on Friday evening at the Gamecock Invitational. In all, six Eagle runners completed the 5K course for a total score of 262.
The Eagles came in 10th place in a highly competitive field of 18 made up of Division I and II institutions. In all there were 116 individuals that participated in the race. UNC Charlotte finished in first place with a total of 35 points and an average time of 18:30.91.
“It's good to have this one under our belt,” said coach Natalie Smith.” “If we continue to get better we'll be alright as the season progresses.”
Senior Abby Bloom (Snellville, Ga.) paced the Eagles finishing in 36th place with a time of 20:00.58. Junior Shauntel Jennings (Stone Mountain, Ga.) who comes to the cross country program from the track & field program was the second Eagle to cross the finish line in 50th place with a time of 20:58.80. At 21:34.86 was freshman Kassi Lee (Elberton, Ga.) who finished in 60th place.
Also running for Georgia Southern was a trio of sophomores Laura Fuller (Cartersville, Ga.), Kellie Wesson (Douglasville, Ga.) and Katie Abercrombie (Newnan, Ga.). Fuller and Wesson finished back to back with times of 21:40.59 and 22:08.57. Abercrombie finished not far behind with a time of 23:12.09.
“Overall, I am satisfied with our performance,” said Smith. “We had some new runners that ran strong, which will help us as we get more into the season.”
The Eagles will be back on the course next weekend as they head to Charleston, SC to compete in an event hosted by the College of Charleston and The Citadel.
