By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—The Tennessee Tech men's team placed 11th (349 points) out of a field of 24 teams, while the Golden Eagle women placed 12th (362 points) in a field of 25 teams.
"We had a major breakthrough on both sides today," head coach Wayne Angel said. "We competed with a lot of heart, and packed it up very well. I'm so proud of everyone."
Top team finishers for the men's 8,000-meter race were: 1) Kentucky (70 points), 2) Georgia (83), 3) UT-Arlington (147), 4) Samford (148), 5) Auburn (153), 6) Georgia Tech (163), 7) Alabama (193), 8) Rice (215), 9) Tennessee (257), and 10) Belmont (258).
Top team finishers for the women's 6,000-meter race were: 1) Alabama (76 points), 2) Kentucky (96), 3) Lipscomb (127), 4) Georgia (139), 5) Auburn (149), 6) Memphis (174), 7) Southern Miss. (210), 8) UT Martin (255), 9) Samford (259), and 10) Georgia Tech (273).
Gilbert Boit paced the Golden Eagle men, finishing his 8K ninth overall with a time of 24:51.5. The next Tech finisher was Sigei Bernard who clocked in 58th overall with a time of 25:59.6.
"The men's team ran in a very good pack today led by Bernard, Cheplak, and Williamson," Angel continued. "I am confident once we get Paul back, we will be very competitive in the OVC Championships."
Also finishing for the Golden Eagle men were: Brannon Cheplak (70th overall) with a time of 26:10.0, Daniel Williamson (75th overall) with a time of 26:14.6, Anthony Rono (195th overall) with a time of 28:22.7, and Joshua Daughtry (210th overall) with a time of 29:15.3.
On the women's side, Micayla Rennick once again led the Golden Eagles finishing her 6K 16th overall with a career-best time of 21:20.4, which also broke the Tech school record held by former Golden Eagle standout Stephanie Place (21:35). Sarah Brandt finished second for Tech team and 47th overall with a career-best time of 21:54.8.
Other finishers for the Golden Eagles were: Purity Murray (89th overall) with a time of career-best of 22:40.3, Jenna Storms (101st overall) with a career-best time of 22:47.2, Madison Stremler (176th overall) with a time of 23:59.1, Anna Cooper (213th overall) with a time of 25:11.5, and D'Airrien Jackson (243rd overall) with a time of 28:40.1.
The Golden Eagles return to action at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships on Oct. 29 in Nashville, Tenn.
Photo by Thomas Corhern