Morgan and Spencer Pace Men to Second Victory of the Season

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Oct. 14, 2000) — Sophomores Thomas Morgan and Hunter Spencer finished in the top 12 at the 28th Annual Furman Invitational Cross Country Meet to lead the University of Kentucky men’s squad to the team title on October 14. The women’s team finished solidly in 11th place.

Morgan was the top UK finisher for the third time this season, as he completed the 8,000-meter course in a time of 25:39 for sixth place. Spencer was not far behind in 12th, crossing the finish line in 25:52. Also contributing points for the Cats’ cause were sophomore Kevin O’Connor and freshman Justin Amason, who finished in 23rd and 28th places. Rounding out the UK scoring was sophomore Jack Morgan, who ran his first race of the season.

The youthful women’s contingent was again led by the freshmen duo of Caitlin Phillips and Amy Guard for the fourth consecutive race. Phillips claimed 23rd place with a time of 18:39 on the 5,000-meter course, while Guard finished only eight seconds behind in 27th place. The Cats received additional scoring from sophomore Marie Patton, freshman April Eaves and junior Jennifer Osterhage.

This meet was a post-season tune-up for UK as they prepare for the Southeastern Conference Championships to be held in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Monday, Oct. 30. Then, the Cats will return to Furman for the NCAA Southeast Regional on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Top three and UK finishers

Individual Men  8,000 meters:1. Francis KirwaLife University 24:362. Alexis Sharangabo    Brevard         25:143. Chad Newton          Strictly Running25:196. Thomas Morgan        Kentucky        25:3912. Hunter Spencer      Kentucky        25:3923. Kevin O'Connor      Kentucky        26:2528. Justin Amason       Kentucky        26:3187. Jack Morgan         Kentucky        27:4897. Patton Segraves     Kentucky        28:06148. Jonathon Feddock   Kentucky        29:35149. Chad Johnson       Kentucky        29:40Team Men:1. Kentucky             1132. Clemson              1233. Appalachian State    131Individual Women  5,000 meters:1. Valerie Young  Unattached      17:192. Sara Day             Wake Forest     17:343. Sharon Dickie  Tennessee       17:4423. Caitlin Phillips    Kentucky        18:3927. Amy Guard           Kentucky        18:4790. Marie Patton  Kentucky        20:1691. April Eaves         Kentucky        20:16107. Jennifer Osterhage Kentucky        20:34109. Liz Attig          Kentucky        20:38Team Women:1. Wake Forest          452. Auburn               1023. Furman Alumni        14111. Kentucky            289