The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Friday, October 18
Montevallo, AL
9 a.m.
UAB
vs
Blazer Classic
UAB Cracks Top 10 in Second Annual Blazer Classic
10/18/2019 8:58:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The UAB cross country team placed 10th in its home-hosted Blazer Classic at the Montevallo Cross Country Course on Friday morning. Competing against a field of 30 total teams in the 6,000-meter race, the Blazers have now finished in the top 10 for two consecutive seasons after finishing seventh in last year's inaugural event.
"First off, a huge thank you to Erik Maas, Mr. Chance and Coach Barksdale for allowing us to host the Blazer Classic at the Montevallo Cross Country Course," said coach Matt Esche. "The course ran honest and fair - true cross country."
All nine Blazers competing in the race notched personal career highs on the day. Redshirt junior Celestial Moon paced the Blazers through the race, timing a 21:43.90 to shatter her previous career best by over a minute and finish in 37th place. Just behind Moon were freshman Lauren Robinson and sophomore Laura Thompson, who also each placed in the top 50. Robinson came in 39th, clocking in at 21:44.59 to mark the best time of her young Blazer career. Thompson pegged a 43rd place finish at 21:46.20, eclipsing her personal best by just over a minute.
Other Blazers also setting career best marks included junior Bethan Evans, senior Serena Martinez, senior Kaleigh Roach, sophomore Britney Johnson, freshman Laura Gonzalez and junior Morgan Mihalis.
"Overall for us, we had a ton of PR's. Cele (Moon) led the way, took control and did what was asked. The girls followed her lead, were very calm and moved extremely well through the race," said Esche. "Our 1-5 split was the best of any team in the field. Unlike some teams that ran about what they should, we showed that we are coming on at the right time."
UAB's most important meet of the season awaits as the Blazers will next head to Bowling Green, Ky. for the Conference USA Championship. The meet is scheduled for Nov. 2 with race times to be announced on a later date.
For more information on the UAB cross country team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_TF_XC) and Instagram (UAB_TF_XC).
"First off, a huge thank you to Erik Maas, Mr. Chance and Coach Barksdale for allowing us to host the Blazer Classic at the Montevallo Cross Country Course," said coach Matt Esche. "The course ran honest and fair - true cross country."
All nine Blazers competing in the race notched personal career highs on the day. Redshirt junior Celestial Moon paced the Blazers through the race, timing a 21:43.90 to shatter her previous career best by over a minute and finish in 37th place. Just behind Moon were freshman Lauren Robinson and sophomore Laura Thompson, who also each placed in the top 50. Robinson came in 39th, clocking in at 21:44.59 to mark the best time of her young Blazer career. Thompson pegged a 43rd place finish at 21:46.20, eclipsing her personal best by just over a minute.
Other Blazers also setting career best marks included junior Bethan Evans, senior Serena Martinez, senior Kaleigh Roach, sophomore Britney Johnson, freshman Laura Gonzalez and junior Morgan Mihalis.
"Overall for us, we had a ton of PR's. Cele (Moon) led the way, took control and did what was asked. The girls followed her lead, were very calm and moved extremely well through the race," said Esche. "Our 1-5 split was the best of any team in the field. Unlike some teams that ran about what they should, we showed that we are coming on at the right time."
UAB's most important meet of the season awaits as the Blazers will next head to Bowling Green, Ky. for the Conference USA Championship. The meet is scheduled for Nov. 2 with race times to be announced on a later date.
For more information on the UAB cross country team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_TF_XC) and Instagram (UAB_TF_XC).
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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