Oct. 1, 2005
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The Auburn cross country program experienced mixed results on Saturday at the 32nd annual Paul Short Invitational, hosted by Lehigh University. With 46 squads competing on both the men's and women's side, the Tigers were dealt with the difficult task of fighting their way through the congestion. The men's team had the best showing for the Tigers, placing fourth in the 8K with 219 points. The women had a more difficult day, as they finished 28th in the 6K with 712 points.
"We ran okay across the board," head coach Peter Watson said. "It was a perfect day and the course was flat and fast. Some of the teams on the East Coast were a little bit more race ready than we were."
In the event held on the Goodman Campus, the men's fourth-place finish was their seventh straight in the top four, dating back to the first race of the 2004 season. Georgetown became the first-ever school to win the event three straight seasons, taking the event with 123 points. Leading the way for the men was senior Andrew Heath, who earned the 11th top-10 finish of his career and second of the year. Heath placed second at the season-opening Florida State Invitational. The Marietta, Ga., native finished the Paul Short Invitational in 24:11. Saint Francis' (Pa.) senior Ryan Sheehan won the race in a time of 23:53.
Sophomore Chris Walsh was the second runner across the line for the men, finishing 19th at 24:24. Walsh finished in the top 20 for the second straight race, after placing fourth at the Florida State Inv. Also competing for the men were seniors Matt Tillman and Joey Giattino, juniors Patrick Philbin and Patrick Mouser and sophomore Jordan Davis.
The women's team had their lowest finish in three years. The women were led by senior Angela Homan, who also had an off day. Homan placed seventh in a time of 20:43.6. The second Tiger to cross the line was sophomore Megan Karl, who finished 62nd in a time of 21:55.6. Columbia won the team title with 121 points. Georgetown's Elizabeth Maloy won the individual title with a time of 20:28.0.
Also competing for the women were senior Dawn Morgan, junior Denise Daughenbaugh and sophomores Becca Bell, Jessica Smith and Laura Steele.
Auburn returns to action Oct. 8, as they host the 13th annual Auburn Invitational at Indian Pines Golf Course in Auburn, Ala. For all the latest news in Auburn cross country, please visit www.auburntigers.com.
Collegiate Cross Country
Paul Short Invitational
Bethlehem, Pa.
Goodman Campus at Lehigh University
Men's Results (8K)
Team Results (Top 10): 1. Georgetown, 123; 2. La Salle, 154; 3. Princeton, 170; 4. Auburn, 219; 5. Columbia, 234; 6. Duquesne, 283; 7. Pennsylvania, 288; 8. Penn State, 291; t9. Lehigh, 297; t9. Villanova, 297.
Auburn Individuals: 10. Andrew Heath; 19. Chris Walsh; 48. Patrick Philbin; 61. Matt Tillman; 81. Patrick Mouser; 113. Joey Giattino; 127. Jordan Davis.
Women's Results (6K)
Team Results (Top 10): 1. Columbia, 121; 2. Georgetown, 138; 3. Tennessee, 185; 4. Maryland, 226; 5. Cornell, 230; 6. Villanova, 258; 7. La Salle, 261; 8. Pennsylvania; 9. Stony Brook, 317; 10. Bucknell, 340; 28. Auburn, 712.
Auburn Individuals: 7. Angela Homan; 62. Megan Karl; 211. Becca Bell; 213. Dawn Morgan; 219. Jessica Smith; 232. Laura Steele; 271. Denise Daughenbaugh.