Mississippi State
NCAA South Regional Championships
Bulldogs Turn In Top 10 Finishes At Cross Country NCAA Regional
November 13, 2010 | Cross Country
HOOVER, Ala. - Mississippi State's cross county teams lined up against more than 30 squads at the NCAA South Regional in Veterans Park at Hoover, Ala., Saturday and produced two Top 10 finishes and a trio of all-region honors.
“I am extremely proud of the way we ran today,” coach Houston Franks said. “We just keep getting better and better each meet and the hard work is definitely paying off.”
Alabama was the top men's team, with MSU finishing 10th. Florida State's Ciaran O'Lionaird (30:03.34) was the top men's finisher, while senior Adam Lenz (30:53.95) placed 22nd for the Bulldogs en route to earning all-region honors in the process.
“Adam ran phenomenal,” Franks said. “He got out in the front and was in the mix from the very beginning. I could not be prouder of the way he ran.”
Freshman Nick Perkins (32:28.98) placed 67th, followed by freshman Juan Sanchez (32:51.48) at 79th. Sophomore Philip Johnson (33:08.11) and freshman John Valentine (33:09.93) rounded out the Bulldog Top 5, finishing 89th and 90th, respectively.
“The guys ran well today. We are just very young on the men's side and it is going to take time for us to work our way to the top,” Franks added. “With a little more time and work, they will be running as a team and finishing at the top of the leader board.”
For the women, it was Florida State bringing home top honors, with Mississippi State coming in 5th.
“Our girls ran phenomenal today.” Franks said. “They have been running great all year, and I am just amazed at how well they finished.”
Kristie Krueger (19:52.93) of Georgia crossed the line first for the women. MSU sophomores Renee Masterson (20:33.14) and Haley Greenwell (20:36.09) were again at the top of the leader board for the Lady Bulldogs, finishing 14th and 17th respectively to capture all-region honors.
“Renee and Haley have been at the top all season long,” Franks commented. “It is only fitting that they capped off the season with all-region.”
Junior Dominique Lockhart (21:34.74) was the third MSU woman to cross at 48th, with freshman Katie Hudson (21:54.59) and sophomore Chloe Phillips (22:00.96) rounding out the Lady Bulldogs action at 64th and 70th.
With completion of the NCAA South Regional, the Bulldogs will spend the next week waiting to see if Masterson, Greenwell and/or Lenz are selected as wildcards for the NCAA Championship meet.
Complete MSU Results
Men's Results: 1, Alabama (30); 2, Florida State (55); 3, Florida (76); 4, Tennessee (150); 5, Georgia (157); 7, Ole Miss (219); 10, Mississippi State (277); 14, Vanderbilt (364).
Medalist: Ciaran O'Lionaird, Florida State (30:03.34)
Mississippi State Men: No. 22, Adam Lenz (30:53.95); No. 67, Nick Perkins (32:28.98); No. 79, Juan Sanchez (32:51.48); No. 89, Philip Johnson (33:08.11); No. 90, John Valentine (33:09.93)
Women's Results: 1, Florida State (24); 2, Florida (67); 3, Vanderbilt (102); 4, Georgia (137); 5, Mississippi State (196); 7, Alabama (239); 8, Ole Miss (270); 18, Tennessee (489)
Medalist: Kristie Krueger, Georgia (19:52.93)
Mississippi State Women: No. 14, Renee Masterson (20:33.14); No. 17, Haley Greenwell (20:36.09); No. 48, Dominique Lockhart (21:34.74); No. 64, Katie Hutson (21:54.59); No. 64, Chloe Phillips (22:00.96).
