LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Running new personal bests, sophomore Ryan Kinnane and junior Samantha Rogers led the Tigers to a strong finish at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park.
Of the 31 teams that competed in the men's 8k gold race, Auburn finished 12th overall. While out of 41 teams in the women's 5k gold race, the Tigers combined for 5th place overall.
"Outstanding day for Ryan Kinnane," said Coach Aaron Kindt. "I thought he was excellent today in his execution of his race plan and gave himself a great shot to win a major invitational, but at the end coming up just a bit short.
For the second meet in a row, Kinnane led the way for the Tigers with a second-place individual finish in a time of 23:21.6. Kinnane improves his personal best time from his season opener just two weeks ago.
"Carson Bedics and Isaiah Billingsley also provided much needed steady performances that allowed us to have a solid day as a team," Kindt said. "Still a lot of room to grow as a whole, but another step forward for this young group."
Led by Kinnane, the Auburn men collected 368 points to finish just outside the top-10 overall. Following Kinnane to the line was sophomore Carson Bedics (24:21.2), freshman Louis O'Loughlin (24:45.7) and Isaiah Billingsley (24:56.0), and sophomore Cooper Atkins (24:58.8) to round out the top-5 for the Tigers.
"Samantha Rogers backed up her breakout day from a couple weeks ago in Huntsville with another tremendous performance," said Kindt. "Also thought Hallie and Genè ran strong races, despite this not being their best day."
Rogers led the way for women in a new personal best time of 16:53.6. Not far behind the Auburn, Ala. native was freshman Gene Coetzee (17.11.8), sophomore Hallie Porterfield (17:14.1), and seniors Hannah Tarwater (17:59.5) and Sara Pacer (18:11.7).
"Really pleased with where both teams are at so far this season and looking forward to getting back to work next week," said Kindt.
2022 Live in Lou Cross Country Classic
E.P. "Tom" Sawyer" State Park
Louisville, Ky.
Women's Results (5k)
5. Auburn, 251 pts
Auburn Individual Results
7. Samantha Rogers, 16:53.6 PR
25. Gene Coetzee, 17.11.8
28. Hallie Porterfield, 17:14.1
87. Hannah Tarwater, 17:59.5
110. Sara Pacer, 18:11.7
169. Hannah Thuss, 18:34.0
262. Hailey Marston, 19:11.9
334. Kali Holden, 19:55.9
Men's Results (8k)
12. Auburn, 368 pts
Auburn Individual Results
2. Ryan Kinnane, 23:21.6 PR
52. Carson Bedics, 24:21.2 PR
95. Louis O'Loughlin, 24:45.7
116. Isaiah Billingsley, 24:56.0 PR
123. Cooper Atkins, 24:58.8
149. Joseph Perry, 25:11.1
174. Dustyn Lewis, 25:26.0 PR
203. Mark Foster, 25:42.2 PR
209. Benson Atkins, 25:45.6
DNF. Ethan Snyder
Up Next
The Tigers will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to compete in the Crimson Classic on Friday, October 14th.