Alabama
UAB Blazer Classic
Alabama Women’s Cross Country Finishes Second at UAB Blazer Classic
10/12/2018 11:25:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Junior Esther Gitahi leads the Crimson Tide with a runner-up finish as UA lands three in the top-10
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Juniors Esther Gitahi and Rebecca Buteau and senior Nicole Gardner posted top-10 finishes to lead the Alabama women's cross country team to a second-place finish at the UAB Blazer Classic on Friday in Montevallo, Ala.
Gitahi covered the 6,000-meter Montevallo Cross Country Course in 20:54.71 to finish second in the individual standings on Friday morning. Buteau came in at 21:28.10 for a seventh-place finish and Gardner was ninth in 21:30.48. Junior McKenzie Yanek was 23rd in 22:19.77 while sophomore Shannon Marsh was 26th in 22:21.90 to round out the scoring for the Crimson Tide.
"This was a very good outing for our women today," Alabama head coach Dan Waters said. "I thought Esther, Rebecca and Nicole ran very well at the front of the pack and I'm pleased with Esther's performance in just her second race for us this year. We had solid performances up and down the line-up today and I think that puts us in a good position as we turn our attention to the SEC Championships in two weeks."
Alabama tallied 61 team points to finish second behind Tennessee (45). Southern Miss (83) was third, followed by Florida State (137) and Samford (142) to round out the top-five.
The Crimson Tide men will not compete this weekend after the previously-scheduled Florida State Invitational was cancelled due to Hurricane Michael.
Both teams will be idle until the SEC Cross Country Championships, Oct. 26, at Indian Pines Golf Course in Auburn, Ala.
UAB Blazer Classic
Friday, Oct. 12, 2018
Montevallo Cross Country Course
Montevallo, Ala.
Host: University of Alabama-Birmingham
Women's 6,000 Meters Team Results
1. Tennessee (45)
2. ALABAMA (61)
3. Southern Miss (83)
4. Florida State (137)
5. Samford (142)
Alabama Individual Women's Results
2. Esther Gitahi, 20:54.71
7. Rebecca Buteau, 21:28.10
9. Nicole Gardner, 21:30.48
23. McKenzie Yanek, 22:19.77
26. Shannon Marsh, 22:21.90
31. Maddie Dearborn, 22:35.68
32. Caroline Brooks, 22:36.63
33. Brittany Tolson, 22:38.29
38. Megan Patton, 22:46.00
39. Brianna Koshy, 22:46.97
45. Lauren Brackin, 22:54.18
49. Eliza Witherspoon, 22:02.69
51. Kaitlin York, 23:10.23
84. Alexa Cruz, 23:54.33
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Players Mentioned
