Oct. 8, 2005
AUBURN, Ala. - Despite wet and soggy course conditions caused by showers on Friday, the Auburn men's cross country team took full advantage of running on its home course, as the Tigers ran to victory at the 13th annual Auburn Invitational on Saturday at Indian Pines Golf Course. The women's team did not fare as well as the men, as they finished 14th with 342 points.
"It was a great way to start the day," head coach Peter Watson said. "It was a good to win in front of family and friends and it is special to win here and represent Auburn. We came in expecting to win. Every time we line up, we're expecting to win."
Buoyed by sophomore Chris Walsh and senior Andrew Heath, who placed fifth and sixth, respectively, the Tigers finished with 99 points and won the 25-team event by 19 points over second-place New Mexico (118). The win for the men's team was their first since the season-opening Georgia State Invitational in 2004. The men's team has now placed in the top five of all three events this year.
South Alabama teammates Vincent Rono and Tonny Okello made the race look almost effortless, as the duo led wire-to-wire with Rono taking the individual title by 4 seconds over Okello. Rono finished in a time of 23:33.46.
Walsh led the men for the first time this season, finishing in a time of 24:03.71. He earned his second top five of the season, after placing fourth at the Florida State Invitational. Heath picked up his 12th-career top-10 finish, placing sixth in a time of 24:04.54.
Also running for the men were seniors Matt Tillman, Clay Askew, Alan Burnie, Harrison Morgan and Joey Giattino and juniors Patrick Mouser and Patrick Philbin and sophomores Jordan Davis, Marshall Remmele and Zach Olsen.
For the women, defending champion Angela Homan placed fourth in a time of 16:56.60 in the women's 5K. The Tigers placed 14th (342) out of 23 teams, just 19 points back of 13th-place LSU (323). Samford won the team title with 86 points, while Lamar placed second with 99 points. Individually, Tennessee-Chattanooga's Shannon Womack held off Samford's Lauren Blankenship for the win, finishing at 16:20.57.
The fourth-place finish by Homan was the fourth top-10 finish of her career at the Auburn Invitational. She won the event in 2004, while placing third in 2003 and seventh in 2002.
Also competing for the women were seniors Dawn Morgan and junior Denise Daughenbaugh and sophomores Becca Bell, Jessica Smith, Laura Steele, Emily Brewer and freshmen Katie Stringfellow and Hannah Whatley.
The Tigers continue their fall slate Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Brooks Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind. For complete results, please visit www.auburntigers.com.
Collegiate Cross Country
Auburn Invitational
Auburn, Ala.
Indian Pines Golf Course
Men's Results (8K)
Team Results (Top 10): 1. Auburn, 99; 2. New Mexico, 118; 3. Georgia State, 131; 4. Mississippi State, 184; 5. LSU, 186; 6. Stephen F. Austin, 202; 7. South Alabama, 221; t8. Jacksonville State, 242; t8. Tennessee-Chattanooga, 242; 10. South Florida, 277.
Auburn Individuals: 5. Chris Walsh; 6. Andrew Heath; 25. Patrick Mouser; 30. Matt Tillman; 37. Jordan Davis; 40. Patrick Philbin; 42. Clay Askew; 48. Joey Giattino; 136. Alan Burnie; 168. Zach Olsen; 188. Harrison Morgan; 190. Marshall Remmele.
Women's Results (5K)
Team Results (Top 10): 1. Samford, 86; 2. Lamar, 99; 3. Alabama, 138; 4. Mississippi State, 148; 5. South Florida, 177; 6. New Mexico, 180; 7. Kennesaw State, 214; 8. Tennessee-Chattanooga, 215; 9. Emory, 241; 10. Western Kentucky, 273; 14. Auburn, 342.
Auburn Individuals: 4. Angela Homan; 71. Dawn Morgan; 85. Becca Bell; 97. Jessica Smith; 118. Laura Steele; 160. Denise Daughenbaugh; 175. Emily Brewer; 187. Hannah Whatley; 193. Katie Stringfellow