[September 1, 2007]

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas cross country teams opened their 2007 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 edged out Grambling State, 22-33, for the men’s team title in the 6400 meter race, while the Lady Muleriders outscored Ouachita Baptist, 25-44, in the 5K women’s division. Grambling State (65) was third and Henderson State (76) finished fourth in women’s action. Arkansas-Monticello had two runners in the men’s division and four participants in the women’s that ran as individuals.

In the men’s division, Southern Arkansas had six contestants finish in the top ten, including four true freshmen in Colton Connelly, Dusty Hardin, Nathan Blim, and Steve Martinez. Connelly slipped by Grambling’s Brent Flurry to claim the individual title, winning with a time of 22:08, while Flurry posted 22:25. SAU senior Joshua Mitchell was third in 22:30 and Hardin placed fourth in 22:31. Grambling’s Prinzton Carey was fifth in 22:42; Blim placed sixth in 22:42; Paul Irvin of GSU was seventh in 22:46; and SAU sophomore Kevin Perez rounded out SAU’s scoring in eighth place with a time of 22:47. Grambling’s Mickell James was ninth in 23:04 and Martinez placed 10th in 23:07. Abdi Chepkwony brought in GSU’s final score in 11th at 23:13.

Mulerider freshmen Ryan Laws (23:51) and Ryan Davis (24:03) finished 14th and 15th, respectively, while junior Michael Wooten (24:39) was 17th and freshman Jeffery Lovelis was 19th in 25:49.

Southern Arkansas also placed six women in the top 10 with junior Kendall Mears turning in an impressive 19:31 to claim the individual title over Ouachita Baptist’s Hannah Howard (20:23). SAU’s other five finishes in the top 10 were all by freshmen as Heather Rochelle (20:25) placed third, and Bailey Dulaney (21:07), Jasmine Rainwater (21:34), and Jessica Gadlin (21:37) finished sixth through eighth, respectively, to round out the Lady Muleriders’ scoring. Teammate Samantha Sparks (21:44) was 10th.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers were OBU’s Logan Whitlow (20:49) in fourth, and GSU’s Electine Orido (20:52) and Shatina Anderson (21:38) placed fifth and ninth, respectively.

Other SAU runners were sophomore Michaela Krcova (21:49) in 11th place and freshman Sara Banman (22:54) finished 18th.

Southern Arkansas has its first road-test of the season next Saturday when they travel to Ouachita Baptist to compete in the Bob Gravett Invitational.

#SAU#