University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Greater Louisville Classic (8K)
CROSS COUNTRY VOLS REMAIN PERFECT; WIN THIRD CONSECUTIVE MEET
September 24, 2005 | Cross Country
Sept. 24, 2005
The Volunteers prevailed against a large field Saturday morning to post their third consecutive victory of the 2005 cross country season at the Greater Louisville Classic. Tennessee won the meet with 52 points on the slightly rolling 8K course at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky., on a humid morning with temperatures in the mid 70s.
The Volunteers topped runner-up Louisville's 73 points. Navy earned third with 93 points.
Tennessee's three wins to start the season marks the first time since 2002 the Vols have won three meets in a year. The last time Tennessee won three consecutive meets was in 1995, when the Vols also opened the campaign with three victories. The last time Tennessee won more than three meets in a season was in 1999, when the Vols won four meets.
"We ran a strong race and stuck to our strategy," head coach George Watts said. "We finished well over the last two miles. I'm pleased with the outcome based on our training. We have a chance to be a pretty good team. We have a gap between this race and the (Oct. 15) Pre-Nationals Meet. We have to stay focused in our training the next two or three weeks.
Like last week, co-captain Zach Sabatino led the Vols with a third-place overall finish and time of 23 minutes, 53.13 seconds. Ben Lukowski finished seventh with a 24:43.86 time. Tyler DeVault took 13th with a 24:58.91 clocking. Jeff Day crossed 15th after running a 25:03.27 time. Andy Baksa wrapped up the scoring five for the Vols with a 20th-place, 25:13.37 time. Tennessee's scoring spread was 1:20.
Matt Piccarello finished 29th with a 25:27:74 effort. Ed Davis placed 31st with a 25:31.86 time. Kenny Schappert took 70th after finishing in 26:12.56. Doug Brown completed the course in 26:56.69 to finish 130th.
Tennessee is likely to send individuals, but perhaps not a complete team, to the Furman Invitational Oct. 8. The Vols will field a full team for the Pre-Nationals Meet in Terre Haute, Ind., Oct. 15.
| TOP-FIVE TEAMS | ||
| 1. | Tennessee | 52 |
| 2. | Louisville | 73 |
| 3. | Navy | 93 |
| 4. | Georgia State | 107 |
| 5. | Aquinas | 208 |
| TENNESSEE INDIVIDUAL SCORING | ||
| 3. | Zach Sabatino, Tenn. | 23:53.13 |
| 7. | Ben Lukowski, Tenn. | 24:43.86 |
| 13. | Tyler DeVault, Tenn. | 24:58.91 |
| 15. | Jeff Day, Tenn. | 25:03.27 |
| 20. | Andy Baksa, Tenn. | 25:13.37 |
| 29. | Matt Piccarello, Tenn. | 25:27.74 |
| 31. | Ed Davis, Tenn. | 25:31.86 |
| 70. | Kenny Schappert, Tenn. | 26:12.56 |
| 130. | Doug Brown, Tenn. | 26:59.69 |
