Oct. 4, 2008
Men's Orange Results | Women's Orange Results | Men's Blue Results | Women's Blue Results
Tiger Invitational Quotes in PDF Format
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn's Elkanah Kibet did it again and so did the Tigers. Kibet cruised to an individual title and the No. 21 Auburn men captured the men's Mel Rosen Orange Race team title with 31 points Saturday at the Tiger Invitational at Indian Pines Golf Course. Holly Knight placed fourth for the Auburn women en route to a sixth-place women's Mel Rosen Orange Race team finish.
"Our guys ran fantastic out there today," head cross country coach Peter Watson said. "Elkanah is just a monster. Girma Mesecho ran a lot better; he had something to prove after the Roy Griak Invitational last weekend. Felix [Kibioywo] is just Felix, that guy is awesome.
"Those Washington women are phenomenal; their top six have all done something nationally. Holly had a fantastic race. Laurel Prichard, Amber Riley and Sabrina Fischer really packed it up great for us today. They put some big numbers up. The women are where we thought they would be and they are coming around. Allison Smith really stepped up for us today."
Auburn's trio of Kibet, Kibioywo and Mesecho packed a potent punch, taking first through third places. Kibet, who has won all three of his races this season, crossed the 8K line in 22:16.35, 24 seconds ahead of runner-up Kibioywo (22:40.24). Mesecho took third, finishing in 22:55.52, three seconds better than his 8K at the Roy Griak.
"Today was fun because we got to run at home," Kibet said. "I'm about to do something I have never done before. Right now [as a team] we are doing well. We haven't done anything that is too challenging. I know that it is only a matter of time until I peak."
Freshman Julian Matthews was Auburn's fourth top-10 finisher, taking 10th in 23:26.80. Matthews lowered his 8K by over two minutes after running his first-ever 8K at the Roy Griak.
"Julian Matthews ran an unbelievable race today," Watson said. "After struggling in his first-ever 8K last weekend in Minnesota, today he finished top 10. He was great."
Scott Novack placed 14th in 23:36.49, Joby Peake was 43rd (24:19.99) and coming in 62nd was freshman Jeff Sanders (24:49.91) to round out Auburn's scorers.
Facing a highly-ranked field with No. 2 Washington, No. 3 Florida State and No. 27 Iowa in attendance, Auburn's women were able to pull together for a sixth-place finish with four Tigers finishing among the top 50.
Crossing the 5K line first for the Tigers was Knight in 16:07.83 to take fourth place. The sophomore was the first non-Washington runner to finish, as the Huskies finished first through third and then followed by taking sixth through ninth. In only the second race of the season, Knight has put together a pair of top-five finishes.
"I was caught in between the pack and the leader so I had to keep working to maintain a good pace to stay ahead of the pack," Knight said. "We raced some really hard teams today and it's good preparation for SECs. Its feels good to be back out on the course. I feel good right now. Speed isn't my strength, but I'm good at the longer, hillier courses."
Pritchard was the second Tiger to finish at 22nd in 17:15.65. Nine seconds back was Sabrina Fischer in 29th (17:24.22) and Riley was 31st (17:30.64). Smith was fifth for Auburn in 18:25.54 and was 76th overall, followed by Cathryn Albright at 87th (18:43.70) and Madeline Collins rounded out Auburn's scoring efforts with an 18:58.58 finish for 98th.
Running unattached, Becca Bell completed the course in 18:14.47 for a 76th place finish.
The Women's Blue Race opened the day with Anderson's (S.C.) Whitney Bishoff taking home the individual title in 18:08.59. Columbus State won the team title with 43 points.
Robert Gunn of Alabama State won the Men's Blue Race in 24:31.01 and was followed by teammate Jepthah Kenei, but it was Columbus State who won the team title with 42 points.
Auburn's men's and women's team will have a week off before heading to Terre Haute, Ind., on Oct. 18 for Pre-Nationals hosted by Indiana State. The meet serves as a prelude to the NCAA Championships in November.