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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of West
Alabama cross country teams were in action Friday night
at the 18th annual Crimson Classic
Invitational at the Harry Pritchard Running Course with
both squads finishing last.
“Although our last-place finishes
might not show it, we have improved a great deal,” Tiger
cross country coach Don Medeiros said. “The men averaged
over a minute faster than they did when compared to
their fastest times last year. The women averaged a
minute and 20 seconds faster than they did when compared
to their fastest times last year.
“They definitely are improving. In
addition, we closed the gap between ourselves and
several other conference schools, when compared to last
year. Our focus this year is on moving up in the
conference and we have definitely made some strides in
that direction. We clearly still have a long way to go
to reach the level we want, but we are making progress.”
The Tiger men finished with 379
points (15th). Alex Brown led West Alabama at
28:13 (67th), while Jeremy Wilson was 92nd
at 29:56. Other Tiger finishers were Daniel Ross (95th,
30:11), Craig Warlick (104th, 30:50), Deivid
Delgado (106th, 30:52) and Randy Putman (108th,
31:02).
Alabama won the meet with 25
points, followed by Mississippi State (56) and
Mississippi (114).
The Tiger women finished with 480
points (17th). ReShai Reeves led West Alabama
with a 95th-place finish (22:19). Debbie
Shisler placed 100th at 22:42, followed by
Brittany Berry (112th, 23:55), Jill Gibbs
(127th, 26:33) and Brittany Otter (128th,
27:16).
The harriers next compete in the
Great American Cross Country Festival in Birmingham,
Ala. Saturday, Sept. 23.
“This is a very large and very
competitive meet – schools from across the country will
be traveling to Birmingham for these races,” Medeiros
said. “Several conference schools will be there and that
will give us a chance to try and further close the gap
between them and ourselves. I think our kids are
confident they can eventually catch and pass some of the
conference schools that have traditionally finished
ahead of us. Beating runners who have previously beaten
you is one of the most rewarding aspects of distance
racing and our runners are starting to realize that. It
will be fun to watch them try.” |
