MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The South Alabama cross country teams competed in one of the nation’s largest races at the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic. This year’s races had over 2,000 runners from 200 schools. The races were held at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in East Memphis, Tenn., and was hosted by Christian Brothers University.
The men’s team was unable to defend the title from last year although, they were able to have some top performances. Junior Micah Tirop took top honors in the 8k-college men division. Triop finished third in the overall race with a time of 24.03.26, just behind former Jaguar and last year's individual winner Vincent Rono, who finished second overall for South Elite Track Club.
Kenya native and Jag sophomore Antipah Sugut finished eighth in the college division, leading most of the runners until the last mile with a time of 24.47.77. Freshmen Luke Kogo (28.31.86) and Gavin Carter (30.10.02) and senior Michael Davis (30.34.52) rounded out the Jag participants on the men's side.
The Lady Jaguars finished 30th overall with 800 points, led by team captain senior Clarisse Moh. Moh placed 52nd in the 5k race and finished with a time of 19.31.72. Moh also ran her best time of the season along with teammate senior Cassandra Perkins, finishing at 20.59.01. Senior Melissa Womble ran 21.50.81, while French native Louise Faye finished with a time of 22.34.60, and newcomer Menja Evans at 32.18.50.
“I am very pleased that all of our runners ran their fastest times of the year. I am also pleased that Micah Tirop was the top collegiate runner at the meet. We are still in a rebuilding phase and we are progressing” noted Head Coach Evans.
The Jaguars gear up for the second part of their season that will continue at the Coach "O" Invitational hosted by Troy University on Oct. 20.
