Friday, August 31
Clinton, Miss.
Samford University
vs
Mississippi College Opener
Photo by: Chase Cochran
Cross-Country Teams Shine at Opening Meet of 2018 Season
9.4.18 | Cross Country
Cross-Country Teams Shine at Opening Meet of 2018 Season
CLINTON, Miss. – The Samford men's and women's cross-country teams began their 2018 season this past weekend at the Mississippi College Opener. Under first year cross-country coach Chad Balyo, both teams began the fall season on a high note.
"The race plan heading into the Mississippi College Opener was to practice finding teammates early on in the race. I'm proud of the way both teams executed and packed up nicely through the first mile. It's still early in the season but it was important to take advantage of a race opportunity," Balyo said. "Dillon Dean and Shian Mallory showed great poise early and looked very strong the last two miles picking up the individual wins. I'm excited to build off of a great weekend for our program."
The women's team placed second overall with an average time of 19:05.18. All placed in the top 20 of total runners. Junior Shian Mallory won the meet with a time of 18:06.99. Sophomore Allie Nelson and junior Kathryn Foreman finished in the top 10, placing seventh and 10th with times of 19:05.42 and 19:13.90. Freshmen Mary Kellison Thorne, Carter Marchbanks and Lindsey Biggar made their collegiate debuts finishing 11th, 14th and 19th respectively with 19:25.33, 19:34.22 and 19:48.11 times. Newcomer Veronica Lyle finished the 5k with a time of 19:48.23 and finished 20th overall.
The men's team won the meet with an average time of 15:54.58 and saw three Bulldogs finish in the top four of the meet. Junior Dillon Dean and senior Owen Bailey finished as the highest two runners in the men's division with times of 15:34.50 and 15:47.50. Sophomore Ben Garner finished fourth overall with a time of 15:53.89. Junior Brad Cheek finished sixth with a 15:56.24 time. Paul Richardson, the redshirt senior, finished 15th at a time of 16:20.77. Sophomore Sam Katulich finished 19th with a time of 16:42.55 and senior Will Nichols finished 26th clocking in with 17:03.06.
Both the men's and women's cross-country teams were picked to finish third in the Southern Conference preseason poll. Both will compete again at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tennessee on September 15.
CLINTON, Miss. – The Samford men's and women's cross-country teams began their 2018 season this past weekend at the Mississippi College Opener. Under first year cross-country coach Chad Balyo, both teams began the fall season on a high note.
"The race plan heading into the Mississippi College Opener was to practice finding teammates early on in the race. I'm proud of the way both teams executed and packed up nicely through the first mile. It's still early in the season but it was important to take advantage of a race opportunity," Balyo said. "Dillon Dean and Shian Mallory showed great poise early and looked very strong the last two miles picking up the individual wins. I'm excited to build off of a great weekend for our program."
The women's team placed second overall with an average time of 19:05.18. All placed in the top 20 of total runners. Junior Shian Mallory won the meet with a time of 18:06.99. Sophomore Allie Nelson and junior Kathryn Foreman finished in the top 10, placing seventh and 10th with times of 19:05.42 and 19:13.90. Freshmen Mary Kellison Thorne, Carter Marchbanks and Lindsey Biggar made their collegiate debuts finishing 11th, 14th and 19th respectively with 19:25.33, 19:34.22 and 19:48.11 times. Newcomer Veronica Lyle finished the 5k with a time of 19:48.23 and finished 20th overall.
The men's team won the meet with an average time of 15:54.58 and saw three Bulldogs finish in the top four of the meet. Junior Dillon Dean and senior Owen Bailey finished as the highest two runners in the men's division with times of 15:34.50 and 15:47.50. Sophomore Ben Garner finished fourth overall with a time of 15:53.89. Junior Brad Cheek finished sixth with a 15:56.24 time. Paul Richardson, the redshirt senior, finished 15th at a time of 16:20.77. Sophomore Sam Katulich finished 19th with a time of 16:42.55 and senior Will Nichols finished 26th clocking in with 17:03.06.
Both the men's and women's cross-country teams were picked to finish third in the Southern Conference preseason poll. Both will compete again at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tennessee on September 15.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Monday, September 07
Friday, September 04
Wednesday, September 02
Monday, August 31
