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[September 2, 2006] MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University cross country teams opened their 2006 season on a successful note Saturday, winning both the men’s and women’s divisions at home in the Southern Arkansas Invitational on the SAU campus. The Muleriders had a close call, edging out Grambling State University, 43-44, for the men’s team title in the 6,400 meter race. Tied at 31 through the five team members, scoring went to the sixth runner for each team, with SAU’s Michael Wooten (24:36) barely nipping GSU’s Bernad Towett (24:37) to give Southern Arkansas the team victory. The University of Arkansas-Monticello came in third with 58 points. Grambling State’s Keron Fairweather slipped by Mulerider freshman Nathan Hall to claim the individual title. Fairweather came in with a time of 21:12, while Hall posted 21:13. SAU sophomore Kevin Moore was third in 22:21; Courtney Green of UAM was fourth (22:22); and SAU senior Elliot Isom came in fifth with a time of 22:30. Mulerider juniors Joshua Mitchell (23:39) and Morgan Collier (23:51) finished 10th and 11th, respectively, to round out the scoring for SAU. Freshman Kevin Perez was 16th in 25:27; and juniors Cade Lambert (25:45) and Andrew Thompson (27:15) were 17th and 18th, respectively. The Lady Muleriders breezed through a little easier, winning by a margin of 21-40 over the 5K course ahead of second-place Ouachita Baptist University. Grambling State was third with 59 points, while Henderson State University was fourth with 90. Arkansas-Monticello had three participants that ran as individuals. SAU swept the top four spots, with sophomore Kendall Mears turning in an impressive 19:50 to claim the individual title over senior teammate Gaby Mendoza (20:16). Senior Lindsay Musielak was third in 20:49, and freshman Michaela Krcova was fourth in 21:04. GSU’s Electine Oriole rounded out the top five with a time of 21:08. Southern Arkansas junior Maria Kolarevic rounded out the scoring for the Lady Muleriders, placing 12th with a time of 22:05. Senior Ashley Weeks was 13th in 22:09, and freshman Pam Elmore finished 16th in the 38-man field with a time of 22:28. SAU has its first road-test of the season next Saturday when they travel to Huntsville, Ala., to compete in the University of Alabama-Huntsville Invitational. #more# Mulerider & Lady Mulerider Cross Country Men Team Standings (6400 M) Men Individual Pts. Time Women Team Standings (5K) Women Individual Pts. Time |
