CLINTON, Miss.  – Both University of West Alabama cross country teams started 2008 in fine fashion, as the Tiger men claimed third place while the women’s squad placed fourth in the field at the Mississippi College Season Opener, held at MC’s Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Miss.

In the men’s 5K, UWA was led by sophomore Austin Enriquez with a time of 17 minutes, 1 second and crossing the finish line in sixth place in the individual standings.  Sophomore Jonathan Sellers was the second Tiger to finish with a mark of 17:23.  Sophomore Craig Warlick turned in a time of 18:03.

On the women’s side, the Red and White were paced by freshman Carolyn Mancuso.  The Toronto, Ontario, Canada-product placed third in the individual standings with a time of 16:37 in the 4K event.  Jessica Gonzales, from Columbus, Miss. started her intercollegiate career off on the right foot finishing fifth and a mark of 16:50.  Allison Tucker finished the event with a time of 18:35.

The UWA squads return to action on Sept. 13, at the Memphis Twilight event in Memphis, Tenn.