NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Auburn cross country team will opened its 2020 season at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, marking the first competition for members of the Tigers' track and field program since February 29.
Leading the Auburn women was junior Abbey Zane, who crossed the 6k course in 22:45.0, averaging a 6:01.1 mile. The Huntsville, Ala., native ran nearly 20 seconds faster then she did a year ago on the same course.
True freshman Ryan Kinnane from Andover, Kan., was the men's top finisher, crossing the 8k course in 25:32.1. Kinanne was ran a consistent race as he was 18th through the first third of the race and 16th at the two-thirds mark before passing one runner before the finish.
"I was very pleased with how Abbey raced especially considering she has only had one week of practice," Barnett said. "On the men's side I thought that Ryan had an awesome first 8,000m race and his best is yet to come."
Senior Jack Rogers was Auburn's second finisher, crossing in 19th with a time of 25:45.3, with true freshman Carson Bedics 15 seconds behind (26:00.9), six spots behind Rogers. Silas Kipngetich (28th, 26:21.0) and Evan Rogers (36th, 27:06.7) rounded out the men's scoring.
"Overall, we had some good things happen, but we still need to improve in some areas," Auburn cross country coach David Barnett said. "Some things are in our control and some things aren't, but the focus has to be on where we can control improvement. We had two women sprain their ankles in warmups and moving forward we still have some contributors on both the men's and women's side that haven't raced yet and will help a lot when they do."
Junior GiGi Maddox, running in her hometown was 29th in 23.13.4, while fellow junior Hannah Tarwater (23:20.5) was three places behind in 32nd. Junior Faith Bett (35th, 24:08.6) and senior Mercy Kiprop (37th, 24 :19.5) were the Tigers' fourth and fifth scorers.
It was the first competition for Auburn in 203 days, when it competed at the SEC Indoor Championships.
"It was a great feeling getting to compete again," Barnett said. "This is why the student-athletes put in the work all year. It felt great to see them back in the orange and blue."
Both programs finished fifth in the team standings as the men had 114 points, while the women had 132 points.
The Tigers will return to action on October 2 at the FSU Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla.
2020 COMMODORE CLASSIC
Percy Warner Park
Nashville, Tenn.
Men's Results (8k)
5. Auburn, 114 pts
Auburn Individual Results
14. Ryan Kinnane, 25:32.1
19. Jack Rogers, 25:45.3
25. Carson Bedics, 26:00.9
28. Silas Kipngetich, 26:21.0
36. Evan Rogers, 27:06.7
38. Dustyn Lewis, 27:44.4
Women's Results (6k)
5. Auburn, 132 pts
Auburn Individual Results
20. Abbey Zane, 22:45.0
29. GiGi Maddox, 23.13.4
32. Hannah Tarwater, 23:20.5
35. Faith Bett, 24:08.6
37. Mercy Kiprop, 24 :19.5
DNS, Hannah Dyal
DNS, Sara Pacer
