Cross Country opens season with win
Will Payne
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Sports
Coming out of the season opener this past Saturday, both the men's and women's JSU Cross Country teams can be nothing but optimistic for the upcoming 2007 season.
Gamecock runner Jeff Rhodes took the top spot with his first collegiate win in the men's three-mile run, with a time of 14:43. He finished three seconds ahead of Abraham Kiprotich.
JSU cross country coach Steve Ray was pleased with his squad's showing.
"Considering the work week we had, they actually ran better than I thought we might," Ray said.
Claiming the next three spots were all runners from JSU: Ryan McKay placed third with a time of 14:49, Marius Sava finished fourth with a time of 14:51, and George Kapkiai finished fifth with a time of 15:04.
"The top four guys ran very strong and finished within 20 seconds of one another," Ray said.
Placing four runners in the top five was good enough for JSU to accumulate a total of 19 points and place first overall in the men's meet.
The women's team also had a good showing, finishing second overall. Kennesaw State took first place.
"The strange thing about cross country is that on every single weekend there can only be one winner," Ray said.
"Does that make everyone else a loser? I don't think so."
Gamecock runner Jeff Rhodes took the top spot with his first collegiate win in the men's three-mile run, with a time of 14:43. He finished three seconds ahead of Abraham Kiprotich.
JSU cross country coach Steve Ray was pleased with his squad's showing.
"Considering the work week we had, they actually ran better than I thought we might," Ray said.
Claiming the next three spots were all runners from JSU: Ryan McKay placed third with a time of 14:49, Marius Sava finished fourth with a time of 14:51, and George Kapkiai finished fifth with a time of 15:04.
"The top four guys ran very strong and finished within 20 seconds of one another," Ray said.
Placing four runners in the top five was good enough for JSU to accumulate a total of 19 points and place first overall in the men's meet.
The women's team also had a good showing, finishing second overall. Kennesaw State took first place.
"The strange thing about cross country is that on every single weekend there can only be one winner," Ray said.
"Does that make everyone else a loser? I don't think so."
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