10/08/05–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAGUARS RUN NINE PERSONAL BESTS AT AUBURN INVITATIONAL;
MEN FINISH SEVENTH
CONTACT:
Dwayne Gatlin
13th
Annual Auburn Invitational Meet Results
AUBURN,
Ala. - The USA men's cross country team, ranked No. 9 in
the South Region, continued its impressive season by finishing seventh
at the 13th Annual Auburn Invitational, Saturday. The Jags, ranked
No. 9 in the South Region by the United States Cross Country Coaches
Association (USCCCA), were led by reigning Sun Belt Conference Runner
of the Week, Vincent Rono, who ran 23:33 in winning the overall
title at the 8K distance. This was his second victory of the season.
South Region No. 5 Auburn took the team title with 99 points.
Finishing second overall was 2004 All-American junior Tonny Okello
in a time of 23:37. All-Sun Belt Conference runner Harry Larubi
scored a top 10 finish, placing ninth in a personal best time of
24:16.
Junior Stephen Larubi and Senior Anthony Murphy also ran personal
best on the course at Auburn. Stephen Larubi dropped his time to
25:33 and Murphy improved his time by nearly five minutes to 27:55.
"This is good for us to get ready for next weekend's battle,"
Okello said. On Oct. 15, the Jaguars travel to the University of
Arkansas and compete in the Chile Pepper Invitational 10K.
On the women's side, the Lady Jags placed 21st. Cassandra Perkins
continues to improve greatly from last year's performances. She
ran her second personal best of the 2005 season with a time of 18:39
for the 5K course as she again led the Lady Jaguar finishers.
Junior Ajoke Odumosu continued the strong performances for South
Alabama. She was second on the team in a time of 19:26, a personal
best for the junior co-captain. Freshman Jessica Miller also achieved
a PR of 19:39, finishing third for the Lady Jags.
Senior Yvonne Li broke the 20-minute barrier, clocking a time of
19:50. Co-Captain Lauren Lemon ran her personal best of 20:09 and
freshman Lindsey White was sixth on the team in a time of 20:31.
Sophomore Melissa Womble (21:44), senior Florence Edi (21:48) and
sophomore Nikki Harris (26:33) rounded out a stellar day for the
Lady Jags.
"I am very pleased with all the performances, men and women,"
Jaguar head coach Lee Evans said. "Nearly everyone showed improvement
by running a personal best."
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