HOOVER, Ala. ? South Alabama runners returned to competition on Saturday after weeks between scheduled races. The extra training and time off aided the Jags in earning two second-place team finishes at The Great American XC Festival in Hoover, Ala.

Senior Micah Tirop won his third-straight title on Saturday while setting a new 8K course record with a time of 24:58.3.

“I was really impressed with Micah’s performance,” coach Tim Goldsack said. “Some good athletes have run in this race and for Micah to set a new record is a great accomplishment.”

Following 30 seconds behind Tirop was Junior Antipah Sugut, who finished third with a time of 25:30.5. Sugut finished less than two seconds behind the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Emmanuel Kirwa.

“Antipah ran a really strong race today,” Goldsack said. “He turned a corner with this top finish and has shown us how great a runner he is and what he is capable of.”

Also finishing in the top 25 for the men was Onesmus Too who placed eighth (26:44.0) and Damien Lee who finished 18th (28:05.0). The Jaguar men’s team finished second behind the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The Lady Jags placed six runners in the top 25 and were led by Magrina Chepkoech who finished the 5K race in eighth place (19:54.9). Natalie Dixon finished in 13th (20:44.9), Louise Fay finished in 19th (21:35.6), Jobenita Davison followed in 20th place (21:42.3), Jessica Miller finished in 21st (21:47.2) and Jasmine James rounded out the top Jaguar finishers in 24th (22:12.5). USA women finished in second behind the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“The girls ran as a pack and finished strong as a team,” Goldsack said. “They haven’t been to a meet this size in a long time and I’ve very pleased with how they worked together to earn a second place team finish.”

USA will compete next on October 18, at the Coach “O” Invitational in Troy, Ala. For complete results from The Great American XC Festival click here.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).