Mississippi State
Choctaw Open
MSU Cross Country Brings Home Victory/Top 20 Finish
October 16, 2011 | Cross Country
STARKVILLE, Miss. - After dividing for the weekend's action, Mississippi State's cross country teams returned home with a victory and a lot of lessons learned.
"We got a lot of good race experience this weekend," coach Houston Franks said. "There are a few things we need to work on, but finishing in the top of the conference is still right there for our taking. There are just a few things we have got to get fixed before then."
On Saturday, MSU competed in the Choctaw Open in Clinton, where the Bulldogs navigated their way to victory in then men's 8K, while South Alabama was victorious in the women's 5K.
Jorge Villareal was the top finisher for the Bulldogs in the Open. The junior's time of 26:22.22 placed him second overall and led MSU to victory with a combined 33 points. Following Villareal across the line was Jacob Fuller (26:28.35) in fourth, Julian Duarte (26:49.76) in eighth, Connor Denison (2:51.52) in ninth and rounding out the top 10 was Andrew Harwell with a time of 26:53.74.
Claiming the Choctaw Open silver medal were the Lady Bulldogs, who finished the day with a total of 42 points. Carmen Brothers (18:57.05) led the way for the Maroon and White as she finished fourth, followed closely by Adrianna Poole (19:12.48) in fifth and Madeleine Takahashi (19:14.49) in sixth.
"I am really please with the way our athletes ran at the Choctaw Open," Franks stated. "They went down there and competed. At the end of the day, some of them really proved themselves and earned their way into spots for the SECs."
While action wrapped in Clinton, things were just getting underway in Terre Haute, Ind., as MSU competed Sunday in the Pre-National Invitational hosted by Indiana State. Achieving victory in the men's 8K was Colorado, as Florida State was the top finisher in the women's 6K.
Renee Masterson led the way for the Top 20 finishing Lady Bulldogs. Masterson (21:49), who finished 42nd out of almost 250 runners, paced MSU on their way to 499 points and an 18th place finish. Joining Masterson in the Top 100 runners was Anna Jarman (22:19) at 76 and Haley Greenwell (22:22) in 80th.
Crossing the line first for the 32nd place Bulldogs was John Valentine. The sophomore finished 120th with a time of 25:55, to guide the Maroon and White to a team total 862 points.
"Overall we got some good experience from the Pre-National," Franks commented. "We have got to get more trust in ourselves and run with more aggression. We are not where we would love to be, but I think we are in a good position headed into the SEC Championships.
Next for MSU will be a trip to Knoxville, Tenn., on October 31, for the SEC Championships.
Saturday Results
Choctaw Open
Mens 8K
Medalist: Justin Housley, South Alabama 25:59.21
MSU: 2. Jorge Villareal, 26.22.22; 4. Jacob Fuller, 26:28.35; 8. Julian Duarte, 26:49.76; 9. Connor Denison, 26:51.52; 10. Andrew Harwell, 26:53.74; 13. Matt Weickert, 27.07.83; 16. Nick Lewis, 27:22.21; 20. Henry Li, 27:50.55
Team Scores
1. Mississippi State 33
2. South Alabama 44
3. Louisiana Tech 62
4. Loyola-New Orleans 163
5. Mississippi College 172
6. Millsaps 195
7. Jackson State 209
8. William Carey 225
9. Birmingham-Southern 232
10. Alcorn State 255
Womens 5K
Medalist: Tori Lawson Junior South Alabama 18:19.30
MSU: 4. Carmen Brothers 18:57.05; 5. Adrianna Poole 19:12.48; 6. Madeleine Takahashi 19:14.49; 12. Lauren Salles 19:28.67; 15. Elisabeth Molen 20:12.74; 17. Chelsea Rae Smyth 20:20.80; 26. Evie Savage 20:46.04
Team Scores
1. South Alabama 23
2. Mississippi State 42
3. Millsaps 138
4. Loyola-New Orleans 144
5. Mississippi College 166
6. Alcorn State 185
7. Birmingham-Southern 227
8. Southern 231
9. Jackson State 241
10. Brenau 246
Sunday Results
Pre-National Invitational
Men's 8K
Medalist: Leonard Koirr, Iona 23:55
MSU: 120. John Valentine, 25:55; 149. Philip Johnson, 26:13; 165. Juan Sanchez, 26:26; 202. Cameron Vernier, 26:59; 226. Mike Clark, 27:36; 228. Nathan Lewis, 27:38; 241. Carter Hewitt, 29:59
Team Scores
1. Colorado 82
2. Portland 104
3. Iona 109
4. Eastern Kentucky 186
5. Florida State 186
6. Tulsa 197
7. Louisville 232
8. Indiana 259
9. Virginia Tech 322
10. Dartmouth 343
32. Mississippi State 862
Women's 6K
Medalist: Risper Kimaiyo, Utep 20:19
MSU: 42. Renee Masterson, 21:49; 76. Anna Jarman, 22:19; 80. Haley Greenwell, 22:22; 120. Jodie McGuff, 22:57; 181. Emma Neigel, 23:46; 186. Dominique Lockhart, 23:51; 197. Katie Hutson, 23:59
Team Scores
1. Florida State 46
2. Georgetown 99
3. Michigan 158
4. Colorado 160
5. Cornell 161
6. UC Davis 221
7. Dartmouth 273
8. Iona 304
9. Central Michigan 329
10. Tulsa 336
18. Mississippi State 499
