Sept. 20, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. --- The Samford University cross country teams both took third place in the Crimson Tide Classic on Saturday hosted by the University of Alabama at the Harry Pritchett Cross Country Course. The women scored 48 points and the men score 88 points, following close behind the winner Alabama and runner-up Georgia State in each race.

"It was exciting to look at the results once we got home because we knew we did well, but it was great to actually see how well we did," Samford head coach Rod Tiffin said. "Everyone had a personal record compared to last year in the same race and on the same course; some did more than a minute better. It just shows that we are going in the right direction to run faster at the end of the year. I'm excited to see our progress."

Sophomore Jillian Klassen led the Samford women, grabbing fifth place (18:00.96), while sophomore Hillary Neal (18:03.17) and freshman Andrea Seccafien (18:09.70) finished behind Klassen at sixth and seventh, respectively. Freshman Deanna Zidar placed 13th with a time of 18:39.62. The next group of Bulldogs to finish was senior Katie Almand (18:57.86), junior Jessica Van Ausdall (18:59.23) and freshman Cori Christensen (19:09.15) at 18th, 19th and 20th places respectively. Freshman Brittney Harrison was next in 28th place (19:38.95), followed by follow freshman Alli Keithan (20:14.97) at 39th place.

The Samford men were led by senior Cameron Bean again this week who took seventh place (25:21.96) behind five Alabama runners and one unattached runner. Seniors Michael Schwartz (26:49.74) and Bo Brawner (26:51.80) and junior Blaise Carie (26:54.35) followed in 21st, 22nd and 23rd places, respectively. Junior Patrick Ollinger (27:25.65) came in 29th and junior Chas Keithan (27:25.97) came in 30th while freshman Justin Rogers (28:04.80) took 38th place. Right behind Rogers was sophomore Scott Cope (28:19.88) at 40th place. Junior Will Denton (28:50.95) took 45th place and freshman Matt Bryson (29:09.89) took 49th place. Freshman George Mardre (29:12.12) and sophomore Jay Maservy (35:55.16) rounded out the Bulldog men at 51st and 75th place.

Samford will run again in two weeks when they participate in the Auburn Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Samford Women
5th Jillian Klassen 18:00.96
6th Hillary Neal 18:03.17
7th Andrea Seccafien 18:09.70
13th Deanna Zidar 18:39.62
18th Katie Almand 18:57.86
19th Jessica Van Ausdall 18:59.23
20th Cori Christensen 19:09.15
28th Brittney Harrison 19:38.95
39th Alli Keithan 20:14.97

Samford Men
7th Cameron Bean 25:21.96
21st Michael Schwartz 26:49.74
22nd Bo Brawner 26.51.80
23rd Blaise Carie 26:54.35
29th Patrick Ollinger 27:25.65
30th Chas Keithan 27:25.66
38th Justin Rogers 28:04.80
40th Scott Cope 28:19.88
45th Will Denton 28:50.95
49th Matt Bryson 29:09.89
51st George Mardre 29:12.12
75th Jay Maservy 35:55.16