Trojans Finish Strong in Season Opener

Mens Results | Womens Results

TROY, Ala. - The Troy University cross country program opened the season at home for the third consecutive season, and had a very successful day in both the women's and men's sides in the third annual Troy Invitational at the Trojan Oaks Golf Course.

On the day, the men claimed an individual and the women were able to win the team title by five points over Auburn.

“The fact that we came out today and ran as well as we did on the women's side was great,” Troy coach Stephane Hetherington said. “And to beat a great team like Auburn is awesome.”

The day started out on the right foot for the Trojans, as the men's race was claimed by a Trojan for the second time in three years. Sophomore Enock Kirui crossed the finish line in a time of 15:57.75. The time set a new meet record for the Trojans, as the race was run on a different course for the first time in three year.

“Enock had a great race,” Hetherington said. “He took a risk and trusted me, and followed the race plan to a tee. It worked out perfectly.”

The rest of the Trojans did equally as well with Cory Jones finished sixth with a time of 17:00.37, David Hudman finished 11th with a time of 17:18.02 and Kemper Morton came across the line 15th with a time of 17:27.32.

Alec Hamm finished 18th with a time of 17:34.64, Adam Vise 23rd with a time of 18:19.40 and Andre McElroy finished out the Troy runners with a time of 18:55.06.

“The fact that we came in second, to a very good Auburn team, is a great showing for our men's team,” Hetherington said. “With a great finish like this in our opener the rest of the season looks pretty good.”

The women's team also did well with most of the team finishing in the top 10 in the 3200-meters race.

The first Trojan to cross the finish line was Sylvia Chirchir with a time of 12:35.55, for a fifth place finish. Morgan Paulson and Allison Paulson took the sixth and seventh spots with times of 12:46.85 and 12:48.39.

The Trojans rounded out the top 10 with a ninth by Agnes Kapsoiyo with a time of 12:55.85 and Haley Davies in 10th with a time of 12:57.51.

“The race went really well today,” Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jill Lancaster. “The new course was good and really showed the dedication Troy University has to this race. The top finishes by our men and women is great for the program, and really shows how great of a job coach Hetherington is doing.”

The Trojans will be running again next weekend at the Georgia State Invitational in Hampton Georgia with the women running at 3 and the men running at 3:40.

Troy University Athletics

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