Oct. 16, 2009

Men's Results

Women's Results

Boone, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's cross country team placed seventh in the 5K and the men ninth in the 8K in their final regular season tune-up at the Blue Ridge Open on Friday afternoon at Appalachian State University.

Senior Lindsay Groce led the Catamount women with a time of 19:11.13, while Josey Weaver's mark of 25:36.81 set the pace for the men.

The women placed seventh with 180 total points for an average time of 19:28.99. Duke University led the field of 15 with a mark of 17:43.16 for 18 total points as five out of first six runners were Blue Devils.

Groce, a native of Wilkesboro, N.C., placed in 34th for her first top finish for Western Carolina this season. Freshman Mara Smith (19:20.18, 45th), junior Jordan Gaddy (19:31.27, 54th) and senior Danielle Shaurette (19:36.79, 60th) all finished inside the top-60 of the 130-plus participant field.

Olivia Jacobs (19:45.55, 66th), Adrian Cooke (20:01.82, 85th), Morgan Turner (20:09.88, 90th) and Leslie Raymond (20:54.98, 111th) rounded out the running order for Western Carolina.

The men placed ninth out of 15 teams with a time of 26:37.08 for 235 team points. High Point University took home the team title with an average time of 25:41.76 for 76 points.

Weaver, a sophomore from Weaverville, N.C., collected his third top finish for Western Carolina this season for 16th place overall. Senior Stephen Hammond quickly trailed behind with a mark of 25:48.89 for 21st in the event.

Freshman Nolan Clark (26:10.73, 41st), junior Drew Tucker (27:30.72, 105th), freshman Garrett West (27:58.24, 117th) finished up the other half for the Catamounts. Tyler Dunn (28:09.45, 125th) and Jake Clawson (28:19.74, 129th) rounded out the points for the Cats.

The Catamounts will begin postseason competition at the Southern Conference Championships hosted by Elon University on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 10:00 a.m.