MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama cross country runners Andonet Cheruiyot and Thomas Sand Nielsen had outstanding Jag debuts as the duo recorded first-place finishes in the women's and men's 5k races, respectively, Friday at the Challenge of Champions held at Langan Park.  

Cheruiyot posted a time of 19:14.4 and finished 39 seconds faster than second-place and Jaguar teammate Silje Lindstad (19:53.3).  South Alabama's women took home five of the top six finishes to pick up the meet win with a total of 17 points over Mobile (43).  Freshman runner Shaleiya Lee (20:07.6) placed third in the 5k event, while fellow freshman Lindsay Scifers (20:14.0) finished fourth and sophomore Katelyn Cowie came in sixth with a time of 20:14.6.

Sand Nielsen, also making his collegiate debut, recorded a time of 15:57.7 to take home top honors edging South Alabama teammate Nate Pudner, who posted a time of 16:04.3 to place second.

Date: 8/31
Meet: Challenge of Champions
Host Institution: Complete Sports Productions
Place: Lagan Park (Mobile, Ala.)

TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS
WOMEN – 5K
1. Andonet Cheruiyot, South Alabama (19:14.4); 2. Silje Lindstad, South Alabama (19:53.3); 3. Shalieya Lee, South Alabama (20:07.6); 4. Billie Shelton, Mobile (20:13.4); 5. Lindsay Scifers, South Alabama (20:14.0); 6. Katelyn Cowie, South Alabama (20:14.6); 7. Sha'Mario, Mobile (20:23.5); 8. Gillianne Sharp, South Alabama (20:36.6); 9. Madelyn Wells, Mobile (21:24.7); 10. Anna McGowan, South Alabama (22:04.4)

MEN – 5K
1. Thomas Sand Nielsen, South Alabama (15:57.7); 2. Nate Pudner, South Alabama (16:04.3); 3. Conner Killian, Louisiana Tech (16:05.9); 4. Mason Youberg, Louisiana Tech (16:31.1); 5. Nathan Whitton, Mobile (16:37.9); 6. Josiah Perez, Louisiana Tech (16:43.1); 7. William Harrell, Louisiana Tech (16:48.8); 8. Dylan Pausic, South Alabama (17:02.3); 9. Cameron Farris, Louisiana Tech (17:04.2); 10. Cooper Krenkels, Louisiana Tech (17:12.6)

TEAM FINISHES
WOMEN – 5K
1. South Alabama (17 pts); 2. Mobile (43 pts)

MEN – 5K
1. Louisiana Tech (29 pts); 2. South Alabama (34 pts); 3. Mobile (66 pts)

SOUTH ALABAMA INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES
WOMEN – 5K
1. Andonet Cheruiyot, (19:14.4); 2. Silje Lindstad, (19:53.3); 3. Shalieya Lee, (20:07.6); 5. Lindsay Scifers, (20:14.0); 6. Katelyn Cowie, (20:14.68. Gillianne Sharp, (20:36.6); 10. Anna McGowan, (22:04.4); Cindy Con Ahlefeldt (23:33.9)

MEN – 5K
1. Thomas Sand Nielsen, (15:57.7); 2. Nate Pudner, (16:04.3); 8. Dylan Pausic, South Alabama (17:02.3); 11. Larry Lombard (17:19.6); 12. Luke Fielding (17:21.3); 18. Korey Shively (18:14.5)

NOTES
- South Alabama took home top individual honors on both the women's and men's sides as Andonet Cheruiyot and Thomas Sand Neilsen won their respective races.
- Cheruiyot – a transfer from Auburn – earned the victory finishing nearly 40 seconds ahead of Silje Lindstad, who finished second.  The win was Cheruiyot's first career cross country victory.
- All five of the Jaguar runners who scored in the event finished in the top six and South also took home seven of the top 10 spots.
- Of the 13 runner on both the men's and women's side for South, six were freshmen making their collegiate debuts – Lindstad, Shalieya Lee, Lindsay Scifers, Anna McGowan, Sand Nielsen and Korey Shively.
- Sand Nielsen was the lone runner to record a sub-16 minute time as he finished with a time of 15:57.7
- The second-place finish for Nate Pudner was the first top 10 finish for the sophomore.
- South Alabama all-conference runners Carolien Millenaar, Migael Strydom and Warno Potgieter did not run in the season-opening meet.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Parker Cowles
- On the opportunities in this meet for newcomers on both teams: "We had a hard workout this morning for our top returners on both sides.  This meet was a chance for our younger new runners and some of our less-experienced returners to race early and try some new things so that they could see where they were at right now.  I was really happy with what we did at the front end today.
"Andonet Cheruiyot ran a great race and I was extremely pleased with what Nathan Pudner and Thomas Sand Nielsen were able to do.  It makes me very excited what the rest of the season has in store for us as we prepare for the Azalea City next week and other bigger meets on our schedule."
- On the quick turnaround and what both teams can build off of from this meet: "Even though there is a quick turnaround, this was a short [distance] race so I'm not too worried about being tired for next week.  We kind of took a controlled approach, especially at the front end.  Building towards next week, we are going to see some bigger competition and I hope that after today's race, they have things shaken out and know a little bit better what is expected of them and where they need to be next week, especially when we have our top runners back in there."

Andonet Cheruiyot
- On her performance: "We've been working really hard in our workouts and I have very good teammates who have helped me.  We can use this to help us prepare to runner faster in our next race."

Thomas Sand Nielsen
- On his performance in his first collegiate race: "I felt controlled from the beginning.  Coach [Parker Cowles] had a plan for us to follow and I feel that we executed it well."
- On building off this performance: "Cross country is always difficult to prepare for since the course is always different, but racing a course like the one we did today provided a good gauge for us; it wasn't too hard and it wasn't too easy."

UP NEXT
-South Alabama continue the 2018 season next week when the Jaguars will host the Azalea City Classic at Brookley Gulf Pines Golf Course.  The women's collegiate 5k is scheduled to begin at 4:05 p.m., which will be followed by the men's 6.5k set to begin at 4:35 p.m.

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

Join the Finish Line Club, the track and field and cross country specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  All donations to the Finish Line Club go directly to support the South Alabama track and field/cross country programs.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/finishlineclub

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