Sewanee, Tenn. ? For the second year in a row, the Mississippi State cross country teams won the Sewanee Invitational on Saturday at the Sewanee Golf Course in Sewanee, Tenn. State's men totaled 18 points, while the women registered 43 points.
This marks the third-straight season in which the Bulldogs have opened with a meet title.
Junior Jonathan Rono took top honors on the men's individual side with a time of 26 minutes, 10.82 seconds to win the 8K race. The win gave Rono his first career victory for the Maroon and White. Freshman Ben Blankenship finished second in his first collegiate meet with a time of 26:30.52. Junior Robert Scribner came in third (26:46.90) as MSU swept the top three spots. Senior Ashenafi Arega came in fifth place, running 26:55.45. Freshman Adam Lenz came in seventh with a time of 27:07.21 and Pad Judd finished 10th (27:25.07). State also had two other runners finish in the top 20.
“We are proud to have won our first meet of the year,” said Men's Head Coach Steve Dudley. “I am especially proud of (Jonathan) Rono getting his first collegiate victory. (Ben) Blakenship getting second is very good as well. We look forward to getting back to work next week.”
The MState women won the event with four runners in the top 10. Freshman Sarah Hammes finished second with a time of 19:05.51. Freshman Simone Domingue crossed the line third at 19:06.10. Senior Annie Falor finished fifth (19:24.60) to give MSU three of the top five spots. Junior Brittany Detzel gave MSU their fourth top 10 finisher with her time of 20:11.00 to come in ninth place.
“I think we are pleased with both sides. We got out of it what we wanted,” said Women's Head Coach Al Schmidt. “It was a hilly course and we held them back. I am very please with all the runners on both sides.”
Both squads return to action on Friday, Sept. 14 when they travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the Crimson Classic.
