Kentucky?s cross country teams kicked off their 2004 season today by hosting the Woodford Trials in Versailles, Ky. The Wildcat women dominated finishing with a score of 18, defeating Eastern Kentucky (40), Louisville (86) and Marshall University (109). The men finished third with a score of 63 behind first place finisher, Louisville (25) and runner-up Eastern Kentucky (44).
Allison Grace, Leah Kerstetter and Colleen Krout finished first, second and third with the next closest finisher, Kellie McClung of Eastern an astounding ten seconds behind. Grace ran 11:45 flat with Kerstetter one second behind and Krout finishing four seconds later with a time of 11:50. Finishing out the top-five were freshman Andrea Brown, 12:11 (5), Candace Leep, 12:14 (7) and Liliane Sparkes 12:18. Other women finishers included: Ganne Way, 12:38 (12) and Coady Kleinert, 14:02 (20).
?The women were very impressive, all rolling in at the front for the finish, that was very encouraging,? said head coach Don Weber.
For the men Andre Silva was first to cross the finish line for the Wildcats in his freshman debut with a time of 16:44 (9). Chris Long also competing in his inaugural collegiate race finished second with a time of 16:52 (11). Right behind him was Andrew Thompson finishing in 16:54 (12). Wesley Korir of Louisville won the race with a time of 15:35. Rounding out the top-five for Kentucky were Stephan Smith, 17:03 (15) and Chris Millisor, 17:04 (16). Other men crossing the finish line were Matt Sykes, 17:51 (18), Jonathan Thomas, 17:58 (20) and Nick Reeves, 18:20 (22).
?The men are young, we can run better,? said Weber. ?It was the first time out, and we have some work to do both physically and mentally to get the men going, but it?s still early.?
The men hope to improve on their first performance of the year when both teams travel to the Stanford Invitational on Sat. Sept. 25, in Palo Alto, Calif.
?Stanford has a short course which is more oriented to our men?s strengths as middle distance runners. Hopefully, by then (Stanford meet), we can get everyone more fit and more comfortable to get back on track and headed in the right direction,? said Weber.
-UK-
