Sept. 30, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Georgia Tech women’s cross country team placed first amongst 31 teams on the 5k course at the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday. The men’s team finished the 8k race 13th in a field of 36 teams from around the south.
The women’s team captured first place after three girls finished in the top 10 amongst 273 runners on the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park course in downtown Louisville. Tech was led by Mary Chind and her seventh place overall finish with a time of 18:01.20. Following right behind Chind was junior Nisha Kurian, who finished eighth (18:03.84). Also cracking the top 10 was Elena Linn, who crossed 10th in a time of 18:04.73. Senior Jenny Sims finished fourth for the Jackets with a time of 18:42.07.
“Our women’s team ran really well,” said head coach Alan Drosky. “It was really great to get the win on a tough course. They ran like they wanted to win. The three girls at the top began the race in front and were able to stay there the whole race. The girls in the back also ran well but still have room for improvement.”
Tech’s women are ranked sixth in the current United States Cross Country Coaches Association (USCCCA) South Region poll. The seventh ranked team in the South Region, Chattanooga, finished second. Host Louisville finished in third place.
On the men’s side, senior David Herren finished first for the Yellow Jackets and placed 41st overall with a time of 25:23.37. Herren has been the top finisher for the Jackets in all three races this season. Junior Nazar Trilisky crossed the line 68th overall with a time of 25:50.81. Finishing third for Tech was sophomore Casey Gramling, who came in 97th overall (26:12.00) amongst 325 runners.
“I am happy with the men’s performance,” said Drosky. “They have been training really hard and seemed winded towards the end. They are improving and I look for them to continue to get better.”
The men, who are currently ranked 10th in South Region placed two spots ahead of the eighth place Georgia State Panthers and two spots behind ninth ranked Vanderbilt.
The Jackets will take a week off before heading to the UTC Invitational on Saturday, October 14, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
