Oct. 11, 2008

Final Stats

GREENVILLE, S.C. --- The Samford cross country team had a successful day Saturday in a mix of Southern Conference competition at the Furman Invitational held at the Furman University Golf Course. The Samford women took first place in the 5K race while the men took second place just behind Furman on the 8K course.

"We really felt like the women's team ran a great team race today," Samford head coach Rod Tiffin said. "We rested some of our people, and to be able to do that was just a big accomplishment. Everyone just stepped and came to work today and we are just really happy about that."

Sophomore Hillary Neal was the top runner for the Bulldog women this week as she finished fourth in the women's race running a time 18:42. Two freshmen and a senior followed close behind as Andrea Seccafien (19:24), Deanna Zidar (19:30) and Katie Almand (19:32) took seventh, eighth and ninth places respectively. Junior Jessica Van Ausdall (19:53) and freshman Alli Keithan (19:55) came in 15th and 16th, respectively, followed by Cori Christensen (19:59) in 18th place. Junior Lauren Pilcher (20:17) and freshman Brittney Harrison (20:44) rounded out the Bulldog field at 27th and 35th places, respectively.

"Some of the ladies that we expected a lot out of really came forward and stepped it up today," Tiffin said. "Alli and Jessica ran great races for us today, and I'm really pleased with them. Of course, our front girls were right up there with them but it was really good to see Jessica and Alli step up."

Senior Bulldog Cameron Bean led the Samford men again on Saturday. He finished second for the men, running at time of 26:18 while junior Blaise Carie came in 10th, running a time of 27:25. Senior Michael Schwartz (27:41) grabbed 15th place followed by senior Bo Brawner (27:52) in 17th place. Scott Cope was fifth for the Bulldogs, coming in 22nd with a time of 28:06. Junior Patrick Ollinger (28:17) took 28th place, junior Chas Keithan (28:26) took 34th place, junior Will Denton (28:47) took 45th place, freshman George Mardre (29:04) took 53rd and freshman Justin Rogers (30:14) rounded out Bulldog men's field in 87th place.

"Cameron (Bean) did another fine job for us," Tiffin said. "Once again, the guys did a much better job of taking that big step toward to the conference championship which is what we've been working toward. I'm really excited about the next couple of weeks for us. We'll get ready for the conference meet and match up again and see where we are."

The Bulldogs will take a few weeks to prepare for the Southern Conference Championship which will be Nov. 1 in Spartanburg, S.C at Milliken Park.

Women's Results
1 Samford
4 Hillary Neal 18:42
7 Andrea Seccafien 19:24
8 Deanna Zidar 19:30
9 Katie Almand 19:32
15 Jessica Van Ausdall 19:53
16 Alli Keithan 19:55
18 Cori Christensen 19:59
27 Lauren Pilcher 20:17
35 Brittney Harrison 20:44

Men's Results
2 Samford
2 Cameron Bean 26:18
10 Blaise Carie 27:25
15 Michael Schwartz 27:41
17 Bo Brawner 27:52
22 Scott Cope 28:06
28 Patrick Ollinger 28:17
34 Chas Keithan 28:26
45 Will Denton 28:47
53 George Mardre 29:04
87 Justin Rogers 30:14