HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - South Alabama men were led by senior Xavier Johnson with a time of 25:15.9 to place the men's team in 29th out of a 48-team field in their first 8k of the season. In the women's 5k, junior Charleen Elizondo led the way to a team 31st place finish in a 52-team field, with a time of 17:49.8 on Friday morning.

Johnson placed 119th in a 459 individual player field, with Dismis Lokira from Alabama claiming the individual title and leading Alabama to a team title. 

Elizondo is the leading Jaguar for the second consecutive meet placing 64th in a 480 individual player field. Caren Kipligat (Alabama) was the leading individual in the women's field and Louisville secured the team title.

QUOTED
Head Coach Parker Cowles
Overall takeaways:
"It's the first time the men have run the 8k this season. They ran well and the underclassmen are really proving themselves on this roster. The team is in a better spot than last year, and this team can be very good moving forward.

"On the women's side we saw further improvements. Everyone that ran last year at this event had faster times this year. It's good to see the individuals improving and moving in the right direction."

Men's Top 10 Team Finishes - 8k
1. Alabama (41), 2. Kentucky (131), 3. Lipscomb (138), 4. Auburn (148), 5. Louisville (180), 6. Middle Tennessee State (190), 7. Lee (Tenn.) (199), 8. Belmont (272), 9. Georgia Tech (275), 10. Jacksonville State (326).

Men's Individual Top 10 Finishes
1. Dismus Lokira, Alabama (23:11.1); 2. Dennis Kipruto, Alabama (23:20.1); 3. Allan Kiplagat, Mid. Tenn. State (23:22.7); 4. Elsingi Kipruto, Louisville (23:25.5); 5. Collins KipKemboi, Kennesaw State (23:26.7); 6. Jason Bowers, East Tenn. State (23:27.1); 7. Nickson Chebii, Auburn (23:30.3); 8. Timothy Kibet, Alabama (23:34.8); 9. Ahmed Ibrahim, Unattached (23:35.9); 10. Collins Kiprop Kipngok, Kentucky (23:44.2)

South Alabama Men's Individual Finishes
119. Xavier Johnson (25:15.9); 128. Brady Keller (25:18.8); 179. JD Wine (25:49.6); 210. Tyler Doty (26:06.1); 249. Blayton Bernard (26:24.7); 265. Carson Barlow (26:31.2); 303. Amos Pkemoi (26:50.5); 337. John Luke Stovall (27:20.2); 345. Jean-Pierre Le Roux (27:29.6).

Women's Top 10 Team Finishes - 5k
1. Louisville (64), 2. Mississippi State (90), 3. Kentucky (170). 4. Georgia Tech (185), 5. Kennesaw State (188), 6. Alabama (204), 7. Auburn (248), 8. Mercer (306), 9. Lipscomb (328), 10. UCF (331).

Women's Individual Top 10 Finishes
1. Caren Kiplagat, Alabama (16:18.8); 2. Janet Jepkemboi Amimo, Kentucky (16:30.4); 3. Faith Nyathi, Mid. Tenn. State (16:35.2); 4. Nelly Jemeli, Miss. State (16:36.1); 5. Naomi Jepleting, Miss. State (16:47.4); 7. Ally Kruger, Kentucky (16:49.7); 8. Lilly Walters, Alabama (16:51.6); 9. Olivia Alessandrini, Louisville (16:53.5); 10. Caitlin Thomas, Georgia Tech (16:58.0).

South Alabama Women's Individual Finishes
64. Charleen Elizondo (17:49.8), 179. Samantha Menikheim (18:45.4), 262. Tyndal Ann Griffith (19:27.2), 286. Kate Miller (19:41.4), 344. Hannah Quick (20:26.0), 363. Aubrey Zubrei (20:44.0), 421. Abigail Amick (22:00.0), 428. Katie Giles (22:07.0), 464. Rylee Deignan (24:40.2).

FOLLOW THE JAGS
For complete coverage of South Alabama Track & Field/Cross Country, follow the Jags on social media @SouthAlabamaTXC (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaTXC (Facebook), @SouthAlabamaTXC (Instagram) or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at usajaguars.com.