Trojans Finish Eighth In Strong FSU Invitational Field

Saturday, October 9

Tallahassee, FL

Troy University

Florida State University

Photo by: Cass Davis

Trojans Finish Eighth In Strong FSU Invitational Field

10/8/2010 9:31:10 PM | Cross Country

Troy will get ready for final home race of the season, the Coach O Invitational, next Saturday

By: Travis Jarome

Men's Results | Women's Results

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Troy University Trojans cross country program took three weeks off between races for a few reasons, to get their legs back under them after running so many races in a short period of time and to heal up for the conference season.

Those three weeks paid dividends for both teams, as each had new personal bests run and each team competed against some of the best teams in the region and some of the best teams from the South Central Region.

“I am pleased and excited about how the team came together,” Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jill Lancaster said. “The younger student-athletes stepped up their game and brought the team together in a high-quality field. Stephane (Hetherington) did a wonderful job over the last three weeks to put a plan in place, and kids ran well to get ready for the conference race. It looks like they are coming along and should do well down the road.”

On the men's side, sophomore Enoch Kirui stormed back to the front of the field after a disappointing run in his last race. The sophomore was the fourth-best collegiate in the race, finishing fifth overall with a time 25:03.70 – a personal best by eight seconds. He was also the first runner from a school outside the state of Florida to finish the race.

Freshman Cory Jones crossed the line 26:51.57, which was a new personal-best and the first time he has run under 27 minutes in his career. The next three runners to cross the line for the Trojans were all surprises this weekend, led by sophomore Nathan Rouse who hasn't run all season and came across the line with a new personal-best time of 27:15.83 to finish 53rd overall. David Hudman, who had been sick all week, competed hard and crossed the line in a time 27:21.39, while Andre McElroy ditched the track shoes as middle distance runner, running a new personal-best time of 27:55.63.

“The men competed against a really competitve field,” coach Stephane Hetherington said. “I am proud of the team for competing against teams that are ranked very high this season and should get us ready for conference.”

Meanwhile, on the women's side, Sylvia Chirchir had her first breakout race of the season as she finished 27th overall with a time of 18:53.91. Agnes Kapsoiyo crossed the line next for the Trojans in a time of 19:50.90; while the twins Morgan Paulson and Allison Paulson crossed the line in times of 19:57.23 and 19:57.52 respectively.

Haley Davies and Catelyn Dake each ran good races for the Trojans, finishing with times of 20:31.78 and 20:59.39.

“We ran very well on the women's side,” Hetherington said. “Sylvia had breakout best race and she was happy with her performance. The twins ran well on the day, and we had a trio of personal bests set in the race. I am very proud of the way the team ran on the course.”

The Trojans return to action next weekend at home in the Coach O Invitational. It will be the last regular season race for the Trojans as conference is three weeks from this Saturday.

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