September 30, 2011

Women’s Cross Country Takes Third, Men Finish Fourth at Grass Routes Grand Prix

AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas A&M - Corpus Christi cross country teams had a strong night Friday at the Grass Routes Grand Prix. The women's cross country team finished in the third spot in the 6k, while the men's team clinched the fourth slot in the 8k at Morris Golf Course.

"We made solid progress today," head coach Shawn Flanagan said. "It was a real tough course and they handled themselves well and we looked good."

On the women's side, the Islanders, who are ranked No. 7 in the South Regional rankings, finished third with 94 points. The squad placed behind Texas Hook 'Em, who took the top spot with 27 points and Texas Tech, who placed second with 61 points. The Longhorns are currently ranked No. 1 in the South Regional rankings and 14th in the national poll and Texas Tech is ranked No. 4 in the Mountain Regional rankings and 25th in the national poll.

The Islanders' top runners returned to action after resting last weekend at the Islander Splash to help lead the squad past Southland Conference foes Lamar and UT Arlington, who finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

"The women competed very well against two nationally ranked teams," Flanagan said.

Senior Kristine Burciaga led the Islanders with an 11th-place finish with a time of 22:34.4 and senior Julia Sambu followed two spots behind clocking a time of 22:36.8 in 13th place. Junior BreAnna Briggs was the third Islander to cross the line in 21st place with a time of 23:05.3. Three spots behind Briggs was Danielle Higgins, who finished in 24th with a time of 23:13.8. Sarah Kimaiyo placed 25th and Southland Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week Cecilia Gonzalez finished 29th. Behind Gonzalez was freshman Shelby Polasek and junior Melissa Jones, who finished 36th and 44th, respectively. Freshmen Jennifer Ramirez, Vanessa Galindo, Jasmine Boutte and sophomore Julia Wohlschlegel also competed for the Islanders.

On the men's side, the Islanders, who are ranked No. 6 in the South Regional rankings, finished fourth with 92 points. The Islanders placed behind No. 4 South Regional ranked Lamar, who took the top spot with 44 points and No. 7 South Regional ranked Rice, who finished in second with 66 points. No. 2 South Regional ranked Texas, placed one spot in front of the Islanders in third with 77 points.

Junior Patrick Kimeli, returned to action after resting last weekend and picked up where he left off at the Rice Invite. Kimeli paced the squad, finishing in second-place overall with a time of 25:32.1, finishing behind Lamar's Matt Johnsen. Behind Kimeli, for the Islanders were freshmen Angel Banda crossing the line in 26:06.9 and Valentinas Rudys with a time of 26:28.6. Sophomore Justin Adame had a personal best finish in 25th place with a time of 26:33.8. Sophomore Jason Garcia placed 29th with a time of 26:42.3, while freshman Philipp Baar crossed the line in 38th place with a time of 27:02.6. Freshman Christoph Hintz finished two spots behind Baar in 40th with a time of 27:06.5. Also, competing for the Islanders were Jacob Abrego, who crossed the line in 54th place with a time of 27:34.7 and Brandon Lacy, who finished in 69th place with a time of 28:03.3.

"On the men's side we split," Flanagan said. "We put two guys to Lamar's top five. We're moving in the right direction."

The Islanders will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. to compete in the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival on Sat., Oct. 15, at 9:30 a.m.

For the latest information, follow Islanders Cross Country on Twitter (@IslandersTFXC) and Facebook (Texas A&M Corpus Christi Track & Field/Cross Country).

Women's 6k Run Team Scores:

1. Texas Hook 'Em 27

2. Texas Tech 61

3. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi 94

4. Texas Horns 108

5. Lamar 129

6. UT Arlington 160

7. Midwestern State 161

8. Houston 196

9. Tarleton State 275

10. Dallas Baptist 288

11. Texas A&M - Kingsville 314

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Individual Results:

11. Kristine Burciaga 22:34.4

13. Julia Sambu 22:36.8

21. BreAnna Briggs 23:05.3

24. Danielle Higgins 23:13.8

25. Sarah Kimaiyo 23:20.9

29. Cecilia Gonzalez 23:26.0

36. Shelby Polasek 23:57.2

44. Melissa Jones 24:16.5

48. Jennifer Ramirez 24:25.3

51. Vanessa Galindo 24:35.3

61. Jasmine Boutte 25:03.6

Julia Wohlschlegel 25:57.0

Men's 8k Run Team Scores:

1. Lamar 44

2. Rice 66

3. Texas 77

4. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi 92

5. Houston 125

6. Unattached 126

7. Texas Tech 243

8. UT Arlington 246

9. Dallas Baptist 251

10. Texas A&M - Kingsville 258

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Individual Results:

2. Patrick Kimeli 25:32.1

15. Angel Banda 26:06.9

21. Valentinas Rudys 26:28.6

25. Justin Adame 26:33.8

29. Jason Garcia 26:42.3

38. Philipp Baar 27:02.6

40. Christoph Hintz 27:06.5

54. Jacob Abrego 27:34.7

69. Brandon Lacy 28:03.3