Nov. 1, 2010
Men's Results | Women's Results
COLUMBIA, S.C.--Cross country runners Ben Cheruiyot and Holly Knight were the highest placing Auburn Tigers at the 2010 SEC Cross Country Championships in Columbia, S.C., Monday. Both runners finished in second-place in their respective races at Hilton Field at Fort Jackson. As a team, the women finished seventh, and the men finished tenth.
"Both Ben (Cheruiyot) and Holly (Knight) came to the SEC (Championships) today to win," head coach Mark Carroll said.
Cheruiyot ran 24 minutes, 01.36 seconds in the 8K race, while Knight claimed the runner up spot in the women's 6K running 20:49.39. Both earned First Team All-SEC accolades after their performances.
"They gave their very best today to finish in second place, and they can look forward with confidence to the NCAA Regional meet," Carroll said.
Ole Miss' Barnabas Kirui won the men's individual title, and Kristi Krueger from Georgia won the women's individual crown. In the men's team race, Arkansas took the title after scoring 34 points, and Alabama and Florida finished in second and third place respectively. Florida scored 60 points to win the women's team crown over Arkansas who finished second with 61 points and Vanderbilt who placed third.
Stephanie Barnes ran a personal-best 21:15.86 to finish seventh and earn First Team All-SEC accolades, while Allison Smith ran a personal-best 22:26.35 and crossed the line as Auburn's third finisher.
"Stephanie and Allison posted personal best performances and continue to get faster with every meet," Carroll added. "Stephanie made First Team All-SEC, and will aim to qualify for the NCAA at the regional meet. "
Elizabeth Briasco and Elaina Turley ran 22:56.58 and 24:10.60 to round out the women's team top five runners.
In the men's race, Joby Peake ran 25:33.85 to finish the day in 37th place, and Jeff Sanders and Mark Fleming clocked in at 26:48.50 and 26:59.37.
With the SEC Championships behind them, Auburn cross country teams turns its focus to the NCAA South Regional Championships in Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 13.
"We will rest for a day or two after the highly competitive SEC Championships, and start our final preparations for the regional NCAA qualifying meet in Birmingham," Carroll said.