Blazers Open 2019 Season with Sixth Place Finish in City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic

Saturday, August 31

Memphis, TN

8 p.m.

UAB

City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic

Blazers Open 2019 Season with Sixth Place Finish in City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic

9/1/2019 11:13:00 AM | Women's Cross Country

Full Results

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The UAB cross country team finished sixth in the City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic, hosted by Christian Brothers University at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, to begin the 2019 season on Saturday. The Blazers have now finished sixth among the field in consecutive years after winning the 5k event two seasons ago.

"As a team, we executed our game plan well. I wanted us to be a little faster at the mile, but each race dictates different things," said Esche. "Overall, the effort was what we needed it to be, and that was the most important part."

As UAB clocked in a top half finish, coming in less less than 10 seconds ahead was Memphis, who slotted into the fifth spot. SEC squads claimed the top two places as Alabama won the race with Ole Miss finishing just behind for second, while C-USA schools Middle Tennessee and Southern Miss took the three and four spots to round out the top five.

Individually, freshman Lauren Robinson led the way for the Blazers in her first collegiate race as she set her personal bar high with a 18:37.95 time to finish in 16^th place. Senior Serena Martinez came in just behind Robinson, setting her lifetime personal record at 18:41.98 to place 20^th in the race. Four other runners also finished in the top 50 for UAB as Laura Thompson (18:56.75) clocked a 28th place finish, Celestial Moon (19:14:01) finished 34^th, Bethan Evans (19:22.89) placed 39^th and Britney Johnson (19:23.45) crossed the finish line in 41^st.

"Overall, big races by Robinson and Martinez," said coach Matt Esche. "They both executed and ran extremely tough. It was great to see Robinson step up in her first meet. Martinez had a stellar day with a big lifetime pr."

UAB will head back to Tenn. for its next meet, competing in the Commodore Classic, hosted by Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 14. Meet information and coverage will be provided on a later date.

For more information on the UAB cross country team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_TF_XC) or on Instagram (UAB_TF_XC).

UAB Individual Finishes
16. Lauren Robinson - 18:37.95
20. Serena Martinez - 18:41.98
28. Laura Thompson - 18:56.75
34. Celestial Moon - 19:14.01
39. Bethan Evans - 19:22.89
41. Britney Johnson - 19:23.45
54. Kaleigh Roach - 19:49.46
60. Alicia Abalos Cervera - 20:01.89
61. Laura Gonzalez - 20:04.19
63. Hannah Bloom - 20:11.00
75. Lauren Turner - 20:39.76
78. Morgan Mihalis - 20:50.48
89. Sarah Slavik - 21:33.89
101. Natalie Black - 22:23.83

Top 6 Team Scores
1. Alabama
      Total Time: 1:31:01.32
         Average:    18:12.27
2. Ole Miss
      Total Time: 1:31:31.47
         Average:    18:18.30
3. Middle Tennessee
      Total Time: 1:31:27.67
         Average:    18:17.54
4. Southern Miss.
      Total Time: 1:33:59.96
         Average:    18:48.00
5. Memphis
      Total Time: 1:34:44.76
         Average:    18:56.96
6. UAB
      Total Time: 1:34:53.58
         Average:    18:58.72