Troy University Athletics
Troy Finishes Second In Mobile
9/13/2008 5:00:00 AM | Track & Field
MOBILE, Ala. - A week after capturing their first cross country championship of the season, the Troy men narrowly missed capturing a second consecutive title this morning at the Azaela City Invitational. The Trojans finished with 54 total points, finishing just nine points behind eventual champion McNeese State.
"The meet went very well for both teams," Tommy Barksdale said. "This meet gave us a chance to see how we match up against one of our conference teams. It has been a great start to the year, the athletes are really giving a great effort."
Although South Alabama's Micah Tirop won the overall individual championship, Troy placed two runners inside the top 10 and another three runners inside the top 15. Denzel Ramirez was the top finisher for the Trojans, finishing fifth with a time of 15:38, just 38 seconds behind the winner and 16 seconds behind fourth-place finisher Stephen Scuillon of McNeese State. Jeremy Moujoodi, a week after finishing second, finished seventh overall with a time of 15:43, just three seconds behind South Alabama's Onesmus Too.
Drew Horner paced the pack of Trojans who finished 13-15, running a time of 16:20. He was followed by Brett Lewis with a time of 16:37 and Terrence Dixon with a time of 16:49.
Another pack of three runners for the Trojans finished 20-23, led by freshman Adam Vice with a time of 17:14. He was followed closely by teammates Adam Bradley with a time of 17:15, and by Drew Taylor with a time of 17:16. Alec Hamm was the only other runner competing for the Trojans on Saturday, finishing with a time of 17:35 in 28th.
"The reason we did so well on the men's side is because the team pack ran," Barksdale said. "We had a 71 second gap between our first and fifth runner, and the others were right behind them. It was great pack running, and ideally we would like to have a minute or less gap."
Meanwhile, on the women's side, Troy finished fifth with 112 points while McNeese State won the women's title with 45 points.
A week after winning the Trojan Invitational, senior Jenean Corcoran finished sixth with a time of 19:50, finishing 15 seconds behind fifth-place Kate Imwalle of Spring Hill College. Kelly Harrington rebounded from her performance in the season-opening meet, finishing 10th overall with a time of 20:40, just five seconds behind ninth-place Natalie Dixon of South Alabama and 10 seconds behind McNeese State's Candice McCormaick. Erika Fyrvall also finished in the top 15 for Troy, finishing 12th overall with a time of 12:45.
Other runners who competed for the Trojans on Saturday were senior Erin Clymer (24:32), Brentley Collins (25:30), Chontia Allen (25:36) and Shea Matthews (26:13).
"It was great to be able to race Kelly [Harrington] and Erika [Fryvall]," Barksdale said. "They came in and did an great job, although that doesn't take away from the great effort that everyone gave."
Troy is off for 21 days, until the Auburn Invitational October 4.
"Both teams are working hard to get ready for their next meet," Barksdale said. "They are both anxious and excited to get to Auburn and run in October."
