TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Junior Sam Taylor was in a familiar role Saturday, leading the Tennessee Tech men’s cross country team as the Golden Eagles finished 23rd at the NCAA South Regional Championships, hosted by the University of Alabama.

Taylor ran the 10K race in 33:45.99 to finish in 110th place overall.

The host Crimson Tide won the team title with 45 points, followed by Florida State (80), Auburn (11), Georgia (125) and Florida (143) as Southeastern Conference teams claimed four of the top five positions. The Golden Eagles had 591 team points to finish ahead of Austin Peay (690), Samford (694) and Miami (716).

The meet was the final outing of the 2009 season for coach Tony Cox’ team.

Seniors Peter Woerner, Jarrad Read and Joseph DeLorenzo were the next three finishers to complete the circuit to wrap up their cross country careers for the Golden Eagles. Woerner was 121st in the standings in 34:09.37, with Read just one spot back in 122nd place with a time of 34:14.33. DeLorenzo’s time of 34:22.44 placed him 129th.

Junior Ben Shassere was 133rd in 34:28.90, followed by freshman Chris Bishop in 144th place at 34:17.99 and senior Ben Thompson in 153rd place in 25:50.85.

The Tech women's team did not compete in the Regional, with key members of the team unavailable due to national testing commitments.