[September 13, 2008]

Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic results - women.pdf
Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic results - men.pdf

By: Houston Taylor

MEMPHIS – Over 500 collegiate runners participated Saturday in the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic hosted by Christian Brothers at the Mike Rose Complex. The Southern Arkansas women’s (816) team placed 30th out of 36 teams, while the men had just four participants and weren’t involved in team scoring.

The classic has grown to be the largest night-time cross country meet in the nation with an estimated 2,000 runners competing annually, including high school teams. The quality of the collegiate fields remained at an all-time high, with national powerhouses competing in both the women’s and men’s divisions.

Arkansas (22) claimed the women’s division, outscoring Kentucky (75) by 53 points for the team title. Alabama-Birmingham (119) was third, Eastern Kentucky (128) fourth, and San Jose State (165) rounded out the top five.

Catherine White led five Razorback runners who finished in the top ten, completing the 5K course in 17:39.51. Teammates Denise Bargiachi (17:54.18) and Dacia Perkins (17:54.65) were second and third, respectively.

Kendall Mears (Sr., Simms, Texas) paced the Lady Muleriders, finishing 78th overall among the 233-person collegiate field with a time of 20:59.13. Others scoring for SAU were Jessica Gadlin (So., Commerce, Texas) (22:52.43, 143), Lindsay Spooner (So., Junction City) (24:57.21, 192), Sarah Banman (So., Pottsboro, Texas) (25:08.93, 196), and M’Kenna Moore (Fr., Bryant) (25:47.30, 207).

Harding (38) edged Eastern Kentucky (46) by just eight points in claiming the men’s team title. Kentucky (53) was third, Middle Tennessee State (127) placed fourth, and Arkansas-Little Rock (165) was fifth.

Harding’s Daniel Kirwa (24:08.52) nipped Eastern Kentucky’s Joseph Maina (24:34.41) for individual honors in the 8K run.

Dusty Hardin (So., Banks) (28:45.30) led the Mulerider contingent, placing 98th overall out of 238 contestants. Others participating for SAU were Todd McAdoo (Fr., Bryant) (28:55.08, 106), Nathan Blim (So., Lufkin, Texas) (29:40.64, 131), and Michael Wooten (Sr., Houston, Texas) (31:47.51, 179).

Southern Arkansas competes next in their only home meet of the season, the SAU Invitational on Saturday, September 20. The meet, beginning at 8:30 a.m., will take place on the Laney Farm just north of the Columbia County fairgrounds.