Miami Competes in NCAA Cross Country South Regional
Nov. 14, 2009
Final Stats (Men’s) | Final Stats (Women’s)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Miami men’s and women’s cross country teams ran in the NCAA South Regional Championships on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Junior Katharine Woodard, who has been the Hurricanes top finisher the last two races, once again was the first Miami runner to cross the finish line in the 6K course – in a time of 22:52.23. Anna Bona was the second UM runner to finish at 23:19.35. Joining Bona in running new personal-bests, was Emma Steppe and Janet Price at 23:31.39 and 23:53.09 respectively. Junior Cailtin Knapp rounded out the top five for the `Canes.
“Kat really had a breakout race today,” said assistant cross country coach Damon Griffiths. “The ladies put together a solid race to end the season.”
The women finished with 543 points as a team. Florida won the over title with 33 points, as the Gators own Rebecca Lowe won the individual title with a time of 20:03.29.
The men running on their first 10K course of the season, saw a similar result. Junior Charles Michel was the team’s top finisher – as he was in each race during the 2009 season – with a time of 34:22.45. Just five places behind Michel was freshman Greg Kaczka at 34:30.85. Senior Julio Bonilla was the third Hurricane to finish at 35:33.48. Reginald Buford and Matthew Wilson were fourth and fifth respectively for Miami.
“Charlie and Greg ran well today,” added Griffiths. “But the men had to battle trough some injuries.”
The host team, Alabama won the men’s team title with 45 points – Miami finished with 716. The individual champion was Auburn’s Felix Kibioywo at 29:35.85.
The NCAA South Regional was the last race of the cross country season for Miami, but the indoor track and field season will soon be underway. The first event of the season will be the Kentucky Invitational on Jan. 15.
“It was great to be at the regional meet this year,” said Griffiths. “It gave the team experience to see what they will need to next season to be a championship team. Now we can work on getting ready for the indoor season.”
