Troy University Athletics
Friday, September 4
Oxford, Ala.
Troy University
at
JSU Struts Season Opener
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Photo by: Joshua Thurston
Men Take Third, Women Fifth in JSU Struts Season Opener
9/5/2015 10:08:00 AM | Cross Country
OXFORD, Alabama – Troy University's men's and women's cross country teams took third and fifth, respectively, as they kicked off the 2015 season Friday at the JSU Struts Season Opener hosted by Jacksonville State University at Oxford Lake Park.
"For the men, it was encouraging to see a few of our freshman compete well and execute a race plan –we need to see more of that across the board as the season progresses," head coach Elliott Blount said. "Our women have quite a bit of opportunity to improve as a team. We are solid up top, but we really have to establish ourselves from runners four to seven. As the first meet, it's a decent start to the season; however, we are back to work next week."Â
Led by underclassmen on the men's side and a pair of upperclassmen for the women, the teams made a solid season debut in a field that contained 19 teams and more than 300 runners.
In his first collegiate meet, freshman Brennan Garriques ran a career-best in the 5K to finish first for the Trojan men in 15:46.50. A pair of freshmen, Brad Dixon and Kyle Norris, took second and third, respectively, by also turning in sub-16-minute finishes. Dylan Ogburn, a sophomore, and Zachary Bias, a freshman, rounded out Troy's top five.
On the women's team, junior Mikayla Hodges led the Trojans through the 4K in a personal-best time of 15:03.32. She was followed by senior Julia Ostendorf, who closed fast in the final 400 meters, and finished in 15:05.71. Sarah Zylstra, a sophomore, was Troy's third and most-improved finisher in 15:25.48 – almost a full minute faster than her season opener last year. Junior Samantha Smith and freshman Krystin Guirey took fourth and fifth for the Trojan women.
In team finishes, Georgia Tech claimed top honors for the women, taking the spots one through five with Melissa Fairney leading the way. Georgia earned first place on the men's side with nine runners in the top 20 as Jeremy Greenwald of Georgia Tech ran away with the win.
Troy cross country will return to action next week Friday, September 11, at the Azalea City Classic hosted by conference rival South Alabama in Mobile.
Fans can keep up with the teams by following Troy track and field and cross country on Twitter @TroyTrojanXC_TF and Instagram @troytrojanstfxc.
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For more information on Troy Athletics, fans can find the Trojans on Twitter and Instagram @TroyAthletics and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.
"For the men, it was encouraging to see a few of our freshman compete well and execute a race plan –we need to see more of that across the board as the season progresses," head coach Elliott Blount said. "Our women have quite a bit of opportunity to improve as a team. We are solid up top, but we really have to establish ourselves from runners four to seven. As the first meet, it's a decent start to the season; however, we are back to work next week."Â
Led by underclassmen on the men's side and a pair of upperclassmen for the women, the teams made a solid season debut in a field that contained 19 teams and more than 300 runners.
In his first collegiate meet, freshman Brennan Garriques ran a career-best in the 5K to finish first for the Trojan men in 15:46.50. A pair of freshmen, Brad Dixon and Kyle Norris, took second and third, respectively, by also turning in sub-16-minute finishes. Dylan Ogburn, a sophomore, and Zachary Bias, a freshman, rounded out Troy's top five.
On the women's team, junior Mikayla Hodges led the Trojans through the 4K in a personal-best time of 15:03.32. She was followed by senior Julia Ostendorf, who closed fast in the final 400 meters, and finished in 15:05.71. Sarah Zylstra, a sophomore, was Troy's third and most-improved finisher in 15:25.48 – almost a full minute faster than her season opener last year. Junior Samantha Smith and freshman Krystin Guirey took fourth and fifth for the Trojan women.
In team finishes, Georgia Tech claimed top honors for the women, taking the spots one through five with Melissa Fairney leading the way. Georgia earned first place on the men's side with nine runners in the top 20 as Jeremy Greenwald of Georgia Tech ran away with the win.
Troy cross country will return to action next week Friday, September 11, at the Azalea City Classic hosted by conference rival South Alabama in Mobile.
Fans can keep up with the teams by following Troy track and field and cross country on Twitter @TroyTrojanXC_TF and Instagram @troytrojanstfxc.
Â
For more information on Troy Athletics, fans can find the Trojans on Twitter and Instagram @TroyAthletics and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.
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