Lady Bulldogs Have One Of Best SEC Championship Showings Ever

Monday, November 1

Columbia, S.C.

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Mississippi State

SEC Championships

Lady Bulldogs Have One Of Best SEC Championship Showings Ever

November 01, 2010 | Cross Country

By: hailstate.com

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Houston Franks' goal for the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs Monday was to finish in the top half of the SEC Championships.

The MSU coach got his wish as the women, facing their toughest competition to date, placed fifth Monday at Ft. Jackson's Hilton Field, matching their best finish since 2006.

The men, paced by senior Adam Lenz, were seventh, while the Lady Bulldogs were led by sophomores Haley Greenwell (21:16.71) and Renee Masterson (21:23.78). This talented duo continued their impressive one-two punch, finishing 9th and 12th respectively en route to earning All-SEC honors.

Overall, Florida's women and Arkansas' men won their respective events.

“Our girls ran phenomenal today,” Franks said. “We were tough as nails. They really got after it, and ran with a lot of confidence. Our goal going in was to finish in the Top 5, and we did. I am very proud of the way the girls ran today.”

Kristie Krueger of Georgia crossed the line first on the women's side.

Also placing for MSU were junior Dominique Lockhart (22:08.24) in 38th, with sophomore Chloe Phillips (22:30.22) and freshman Katie Huston (22:30.94) rounding out the Lady Bulldog's Top 5 contingency in 49th and 50th.

On the men's side, Lenz (25:32.85) finished 35th overall, with sophomore Philip Johnson (25:45.78) coming across next in 40th. They were followed by freshmen John Valentine (26:09.16), Nick Perkins (26:10.63) and Juan Sanchez (26:29.17) in 46th, 49th, and 57th respectively.

Ole Miss' Barnabas Kirui finished first for the third time in his career.

“On the men's side, there is a lot of room for improvement, but I think we are headed in the right direction,” Franks said. “We are a young team. When you are running with mostly freshmen and sophomores, everything is a learning experience. We have to learn to be more aggressive and take advantage of opportunities in the future.”

Next up for the Bulldog cross country squads is the NCAA South Regional Championships at Birmingham, Ala., on Nov. 13th.

Complete Results
Men: 1. Arkansas (34); 2. Alabama (62); 3. Florida (69); 4. Tennessee (132); 5. Ole Miss (154); 6.Georgia (155); 7. Mississippi State (211); 8. Kentucky (222); 9. LSU (231); 10. Auburn (234); 11. Vanderbilt (278).
Medalist: Barnabas Kirui, Ole Miss (23:52.07)

Mississippi State Men: No. 35, Adam Lenz (25:32.85); No. 40, Philip Johnson (25:45.78); No. 46, John Valentine (26:09.16); No. 49, Nick Perkins (26:10.63); No. 57, Juan Sanchez (26:29.17)

Women: 1. Florida (60); 2. Arkansas (61); 3. Vanderbilt (76); 4. Georgia (130); 5. Mississippi State (156); 6. Alabama (177) ; 7. Auburn (190); 8. Kentucky (207); 9. Ole Miss (209); 10. South Carolina (251); 11. LSU (279); 12. Tennessee (326).
Medalist: Kristie Krueger, Georgia (20:21.25)

Mississippi State Women: No. 9, Haley Greenwell (21:16.71); No. 12, Renee Masterson (21:23.78); No. 38, Dominique Lockhart (22:08.24); No. 49, Chloe Phillips (22:30.22); No. 50, Katie Huston (22:30.94).