Oct. 15, 2005
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - With a field stocked with 14 ranked teams, the Auburn men's cross country team had its worst finish of the season, placing 21st with 534 points in the 34-team Pre-Nationals 8K held at the LaVern Gibson Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sport Center. Facing the most competitive field they will see until the postseason, the Tigers failed to place an individual in the top 90.
Although the Tigers struggled, the experience from Saturday could be extremely beneficial if Auburn qualifies for the NCAA Championships, which will be held on the same course on Nov. 21.
Both senior Andrew Heath and sophomore Chris Walsh entered the event with five top 10s between them, but the Tigers' duo struggled on Saturday, posting their worst times of the season.
Fresh off a fourth-place finish at the Auburn Invitational, Walsh was the first Tiger across the line, finishing 92nd in a time of 25:09.
Heath entered the event a perfect 3-for-3 in top-10 finishes, but struggled at the Pre-Nationals, posting a time of 25:13 and finishing 98th.
Junior Patrick Mouser, who had an impressive 25th-place finish at the Auburn Invitational, finished 99th in a time of 25:14.
Also competing for the Tigers were seniors Joey Giattino and Matt Tillman, junior Patrick Philbin and sophomore Jordan Davis.
Philbin placed 114th in a time of 25:19, while Davis crossed the line in a time of 25:29 and finished 131st. The senior combination of Giattino and Tillman finished 151st (25:39) and 174th (25:57), respectively.
No. 3 Colorado won the meet with 70 points, just ahead of second-place Notre Dame (96 points). Liberty's Josh Mcdougal won the race in a time of 23:12.6.
The Tigers conclude the regular season Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Coach "O" Invitational in Troy, Ala. For complete results, please visit www.auburntigers.com.
Collegiate Cross Country
Pre-Nationals
Terre Haute, Ind.
LaVern Gibson Course
Men's Results (8K)
Team Results (Top 10): 1. Colorado, 70; 2. Notre Dame, 96; 3. Florida, 152; 4. Iowa, 193; 5. Portland, 218; t6. William & Mary, 219; t6. Michigan, 219; 8. Washington, 236; 9. Iona, 239; 10. Air Force, 353; 21. Auburn, 534.
Auburn Individuals: 92. Chris Walsh, 25.09; 98. Andrew Heath, 25:13; 99. Patrick Mouser, 25:14; 114. Patrick Philbin, 25.19; 131. Jordan Davis, 25:29; 151. Joey Giattino, 25:39; 174. Matt Tillman, 25:57.