Sept. 3, 2011
TROY, Ala. - Auburn cross country took home team titles at the Troy Invitational in both the men's and women's races on Saturday in the first meet of the season.
The Auburn women took the top two spots, and three of the top seven, with Elizabeth Briasco crossing the finish line first with a time of 11:08.17 in the 3200m run. She was followed closely behind by newcomer Alyssa Fisher who clocked in at 11:15.36.
"It was a very good day," head coach Mark Carroll said. "We won both team events. Briasco won the women's race followed by Fisher in second place. It was a very good start to the season."
Sophomore Erika Kolakowski was the next Tiger to finish, taking seventh place with a time of 11:41.24. Rounding out the top 10 was teammate Molly Pezzullo (11:57.31).
Auburn tied for the women's team championship with South Alabama. Both squads scored 34 points.
The men also had a strong showing posting three of the top six finishers on Saturday morning. Less than eight seconds separated the Tigers' trio of freshman Griffin Jaworski (16:16.61), sophomore Samuel Mueller (16:20.61) and senior Jeff Sanders (16:24.16).
The teammates finished fourth, fifth and sixth in the 5k event - respectively.
Sophomore Jason Miller rounded out Auburn's runners in the top 10 with a time of 16:46.44 and a ninth place finish.
"We were led home by Jaworski in third place," Carroll said. "All in all, it was a very good start to the season. That is two good wins for us leading into our home meet next weekend. This gives us confidence going into the meets we have coming up."
The men took home the title with a total of 44 points, besting second-place South Alabama (50 points).
The Tigers are in action next on Friday, September 9, when they host the Auburn Invitational.