Sept. 1, 2015
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Auburn men's and women's cross country teams opened the season with a sweep over in-state rivals Alabama and Samford Tuesday night at Veterans Park.
The men scored 20 points behind a 1-2-3 finish from senior Redatu Semeon, freshman Reilly Shaw and sophomore Wesley Pectol. Alabama scored 53 points while Samford scored 59.
"It was a very good start to the season," head coach Mark Carroll said. "Everyone looked good and the team was able have some good training over the summer and the past two weeks at practice. Veronica (Eder), Molly (McKenna) and Brenda (Kigen) were able to pack up front and lead the way. On the guy's side, Redatu (Semeon) and Reilly (Shaw) led the men's side, so overall, it was a great start to the season. We will get back to work and get ready for the Furman Classic in a few week's time."
Semeon captured the individual title with a 5k time of 15:33.16 to edge out Shaw, who clocked a 15:33.17. Pectol finished third at 15:37.87 followed by sophomore Kevin Wyss, who finished sixth at 15:58.59. Sophomore Mitchell Gomez closed the scoring for the Tigers with an eighth-place finish at 15:58.87.
On the women's side, the Tigers scored 15 points to defeat Alabama's 59 and Samford's 67. Junior Veronica Eder paced Auburn with a time of 10:52.68 as sophomore Molly McKenna was runner-up at 10:53.57. Freshman Brenda Kigen finished third at 10:55.50, while juniors Rachel Givens and Emily Stevens rounded out the top-5 at 11:11.35 and 11:17.59, respectively.
The Tigers will return to action September 12 at the Furman Classic in Greenville, S.C.
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