By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—It was an exciting event on a beautiful day for the Tennessee Tech men (2-1) and women's (3-1) cross country teams as they hosted the Golden Eagle Invitational presented by Hometown IGA at Ironwood Golf Course.
"As a team, I was hoping we could come in the top two and we accomplished that mission," head coach Wayne Angel said. "And we won a title on the men's side, which is very exciting for us."
The Purple and Gold squads started off the year with a bang, both finishing second amongst teams of Purdue University, Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University (women only), and Western Kentucky University.
"I was pleased with on both sides, with the men and women," Angel continued. "It's great experience to have a team like Purdue here and be able to race against them. Also, it was a tough course, but served us well and I think we really took advantage of it."
In dual meet action for the men, the Boilers (20) topped the Golden Eagles (42). However, Tech defeated Alabama State (15-46) and Western Kentucky (15-45).
On the women's side, Purdue again came out the big winner notching 15 points to the Golden Eagles 49. The Tech team, however, topped Alabama A&M (58-145), Western Kentucky (18-38), and Alabama State (21-34).
Gilbert Boit was the top finisher on the men's side, beating out all other runners with a time of 18:33.7. The next runner (from Purdue) not crossing the finish line until the 18:40 mark. Other finishers for the Golden Eagles were Sigei Bernard (eighth) with a time of 19:22.7, Brannon Cheplak (13th) with a time of 19:29.3, Daniel Williamson (15th) with a time of 19:38.9, Paul Patterson (16th) with a time of 19:49.6, Anthony Rono (18th) with a time of 20:27.7, Joshua Daughtry (29) with a time of 22:13.8, and Anthony Palmer (32nd) with a time of 23:37.9.
"I was pleased with Boit, he ran an exceptional race," Angel continued. "I think our women did well also. We have a new surprise with Micayla Rennick, and Sarah, Purity, and all of them stepped up like they needed to. I think we need to just go back and get some volume and repeat miles and repeat Ks, and have longer runs. But overall, we really represented for Tech."
For the women, Micayla Rennick was the first Golden Eagle runner through the line. She placed seventh overall with a time of 18:53.9. Also finishing for Tech was Purity Murray (10th) with a time of 19:44.1, Sarah Brandt (12th) with a time of 20:02.4, Jenna Storms (19th) with a time of 20:37.3, Anna Cooper (29th) with a time of 21:58.1, D'Airrien Jackson (32nd) with a time of 23:29.2, and Andrea Retano (35th) with a time of 23:57.1.
The Golden Eagle teams return to action on Sept. 9, when they head down to Mobile, Ala., for the Azalea City Classic presented by South Alabama.
Micayla Rennick
Photos by Thomas Corhern
