Sept. 2, 2011

Men’s Results

| Women’s Results

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky junior cross country runner Luis Orta opened the season on the right foot Friday evening at the Belmont-VU Opener, crossing the finish line of the 5K race in a time of 15:22.40 to claim first place honors. Led by Orta, the Kentucky men’s team finished in first place with 62 points.

Orta, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, added another honor to his already highly impressive cross country career. The 2009 All-Southeastern Conference freshman and second team selection won the inaugural cross country meet of the season for the second consecutive year. Orta won the San Francisco Invitational to open the 2010 season.

The Kentucky men put together a great first meet to the season with five runners finishing in the top 20 overall. Orta finished in first, followed by sophomore Stacey Eden in 13th place (15:55.52), MacKay Wilson in 14th (15:58.08), Josh Nadzam in 15th (16:00.74) and Jared Phillips in 19th (16:02.54).

The women’s side also had a strong showing at Percy Warner Park, with four runners finishing inside the top 20 and the team finishing in third place overall. Junior Chelsea Oswald led the way with an 11th-place finish (14:34.25). Oswald was followed closely by Taylor Wendler (14:35.73) who finished in 13th place.

Senior Megan Broderick, who is competing in her first year with the cross country team after a stellar four-year career on the women’s tennis team, had a very strong showing in her first-ever meet. Broderick finished with the third-fastest time on the team (14:53.73) and the 16th fastest out of the 78 runners competing.

Broderick was followed closely by sophomore Anna Bostrom, who finished in 18th place with a time of 14:58.53.

The Wildcats will compete again in two weeks at the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 17. For all Kentucky cross country news and notes, go to UKathletics.com.

Belmont-VU Opener

Vaughn’s Creek Course | Percy Warner Park

Nashville, Tenn. | Sept. 2, 2011

Men’s Team Results (5K):

1. Kentucky – 62 points

2. Belmont – 78 points
3. Tennessee – 84 points
4. Lipscomb – 93 points
5. Vanderbilt – 171 points
6. Middle Tennessee – 180 points
7. Belmont-Alumni – 183 points
8. Nashville Harriers – 195 points
9. Kennesaw State – 198 points
10. Austin Peay – 252 points
11. UT-Martin – 304 points

Women’s Team Results (4K):

1. Vanderbilt – 18 points
2. Lipscomb – 63 points
3. Kentucky – 76 points

4. Belmont – 99 points
5. Tennessee – 129 points
6. Kennesaw State – 192 points
7. Austin Peay – 195 points

Kentucky Men’s Individual Results (overall finish):

(1) Luis Orta – 15:22.40
(13) Stacey Eden – 15:55.52
(14) MacKay Wilson – 15:58.08
(15) Josh Nadzam – 16:00.74
(19) Jared Phillips – 16:02.54
(24) Adam Kahleifeh – 16:10.92
(25) Matt Hillenbrand – 16:14.43
(33) Justin House – 16:27.13
(42) Robert Scharold – 16:33.18
(46) William James – 16:39.54
(63) Trent Halasek – 17:08.67

Kentucky Women’s Individual Results (overall finish):

(11) Chelsea Oswald – 14:34.25
(13) Taylor Wendler – 14:35.73
(16) Megan Broderick – 14:53.73
(18) Anna Bostrom – 14:58.53
(25) Allison Peare – 15:14.27
(36) Megan Wright – 15:27.10
(37) Hiruni Wijayaratne – 15:27.87
(52) Katy Achtien – 16:15.47
(68) Amanda Olds – 17:13.38
(74) Kalen Wright – 18:27.78