[September 28, 2008]

Rhodes Invitational results - women.pdf
Rhodes Invitational results - men.pdf

By: Houston Taylor

MEMPHIS – Southern Arkansas’ women’s cross country team placed fifth Saturday at the 19th annual Rhodes College Invitational at Shelby Farms, while four Muleriders competed in the men’s event.

The Lady Muleriders scored 153 points in the women’s 5K course with a respectable showing behind host Rhodes (56), Berry (Ga.) College (69), Hendrix (75) and Union (Tenn.) (95). A total of 15 teams competed in the women’s division.

Fellow Gulf South Conference members Delta State (263) and Christian Brothers (278) placed 10th and 11th, respectively, while Arkansas-Monticello (325) was 13th.

Lady Mulerider lead runner Kendall Mears had an impressive eighth-place finish (20:09) in the 106-person field. Rhodes’ Taylor Stephens won the individual honor in a time of 18:16.

SAU’s other scoring came from Jessica Gadlin (20:40) who placed 16th, Bailey Dulaney (20:54) was 21st, Samantha Sparks (23:11) finished 50th, and Lindsay Spooner (23:56) was 58th. Spooner just edged out teammate Sara Banman (23:59), who was 59th, and M’Kenna Moore (25:45) placed 73rd.

Dusty Hardin paced the four-man Mulerider contingent, placing 16th overall in a time of 27:56 over the 8K course. Todd McAddo (28:26) was 24th, Nathan Blim (28:57) finished 32nd and Michael Wooten (30:27) was 53rd.

Twelve teams competed, with Rhodes (41) also claiming the men’s division. Christian Brothers (62) was second, Berry (74) third, Union (117) was fourth and Sewanee (Ga.) (123) rounded out the top five.

Unattached runner Josh McAdams (25:37) took first overall in the 100-man field, while Christian Brothers’ Stephen Hill (26:06) won the collegiate honor. Union’s Seth Covington (26:43) placed second.

SAU’s two teams are off until October 11 when they will compete in the Harding Bison Stampede in Searcy.