Cross Country at Iona Invitational Preview
Saturday, September 27 - New York, NY
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AUBURN TEAMS SWEEP 2003 OPENER
The Auburn men's and women's team took top honors in both the team and individual races at the Chattanooga Invitational on September 5. Auburn sophomore Angela Homan lead the Tigers to the team title, finishing the two-mile race in 11:22. The Tigers had five of the top-nine finishers to earn 25 points for the team crown. The Auburn men's team earned five of the top-12 places for a first-place score of 36 points. Andrew Heath completed the Tigers' sweep, winning the 5K race in 15:28.
PRESEASON PICKS
The 2003 SEC Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll has the Auburn women ranked second behind Arkansas. On the men's side, Auburn was ranked seventh ahead of Mississippi State, LSU, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
RUNNERS TO WATCH
On the women's side, sophomore Angela Homan looks to lead the Tigers. After competing in the World Championships and finishing fourth in the SEC in the 5000 meters, Homan brings a wealth of experience to the table. Senior Catherine Wanyoike, a 2002 NCAA Championship qualifier, is also expected to do great things in 2003. She earned first-team All-SEC honors and was named All-Region last season. Twins Sarah and Caitlin Reese, from Anchorage, Alaska, along with senior Spring Dawson will have the Auburn women competing for the crown. Both Sarah and Caitlin and Dawson earned All-America honors during the 2003 indoor track season. Dawson was named All-Region during the 2002 cross country campaign.
The men's team will be led by the sophomore duo of Andrew Heath, from Marietta, Ga., and Patrick Mouser, a DeFiance, Ohio, native. Heath finished tenth in the SEC in the 5000 meters during the 2002 track and field season. He led the 2002 cross country team in the first two meets of the season. Mouser placed 29th at the 2002 SEC Cross Country Championships. Freshmen Fuqua and Philbin will also contribute immediately for the young Tiger team.
VAN COURTLAND PARK
The J.P Doyle Meet of Champions, hosted by Iona College, will be held in Van Courtland Park. It is described as the most historic cross country course in the nation.
AUBURN INVITATIONAL
The Tigers' will host their annual Auburn Invitational on October 10. The event will be held at the Indian Pines Golf Course with the men beginning at 4 p.m. followed by the women's race at 4:45 p.m.