The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Crimson Classic
UAB Claims Crimson Classic Title
9/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 14, 2007
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ----- The UAB cross country team returned to last season's form, battling through a steamy and slow course, on its way to capturing its first team title of the season at the 19th Crimson Classic.
The Blazers were impressive in the meet, placing six runners among the top 16 finishers in the 5,000-meter event. Senior Elizabeth Ambrus, again led the way for UAB, finishing second overall with a time of 17:33.97, but head coach Ray Stanfield liked what he saw from this.
"It just shows what this team is about," said Stanfield. "They are really good about packing and being able to run as group, especially up front," he said. "To have a team result that good so early is really encouraging."
Among the Blazers' top finishers, was Kristina Olsen who placed fifth and turned in a distance-best with a time of 18:11.70. Freshman Stephanie Gammon finished sixth with a time 18:21.70, while Whitney Mays crossed the finish line 10th in 18:34.28. Elizabeth Hilligoss, who ran for the first time this season, rounded out the Blazers' scoring with a 12th place finish in a time of 18:56.53.
UAB scored 33 points on its way to defeating the field of 12 teams, which included eight state schools and four Southeastern Conference schools. Alabama scored 87 points to place second, while LSU (94), Mississippi State (98), and Samford (101) rounded out the top 5. Samford's Lauren Blankenship won the individual title with a time of 17:17.11.
The win was the first team title of the year for the Blazers. Last year, UAB won five meets including the Conference USA Championship.
The next meet for the Blazers will be the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 28, in South Bend, Ind. The meet, one of the nation's largest and most significant meets, will be a good measuring device for UAB against the nation's best programs.
"This is a good tune-up and 5k event for our team early on," Stanfield said. "Hopefully we can use this to get ready for the Notre Dame Invitational."
Others finishers for the Blazers included an impressive performance by Lacey Wright (19:08.80) who finished 16th overall. Christina Chambers (21:32.77, 65), Katie Horton (21:35.04, 67) and Tracey Rowan (22:16.48, 77) were the other finishers for the Blazers.
The win was the first team title of the year for the Blazers. Last year, UAB won five meets including the Conference USA Championship.
