University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Commodore Classic
Veterans Pace UT Men To Win At Commodore Classic
September 18, 2010 | Cross Country
Sept. 18, 2010
Commodore Classic Men's Results 
By Eric Trainer, Associate Director of Media Relations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee's cross country veterans made their 2010 debut Saturday morning in Music City, and the Vols rode that experience to a dominant victory at the Commodore Classic at Percy Warner Park.
The Vols placed four runners in the top five and tallied 27 points to easily claim the team crown ahead of runner-up Chattanooga (47). Belmont was third with 91, followed by Southeast Missouri (118) and Lipscomb (144) rounding out the top five of the 13-team field.
"I am very happy with the outcome of the meet," UT Men's Cross Country Coach George Watts said. "I was especially pleased with the top six spread (35.21 seconds) we had. If we can hold that spread and improve upon it, we should have a successful cross country season.
"It is nice to get a win, and our veteran group was very well prepared for their first meet of the season."
Two-time All-SEC performer Michael Spooner turned in a fine start to his senior campaign, covering the 8,000-meter course in 25 minutes, 25.61 seconds to finish third out of 141 runners. Junior Chris Bodary also recorded a top-five outcome, placing fifth (scoring fourth) in 25:42.14 in his season debut.
Three other UT men running their first races of the year also contributed to the scoring total. Senior Steve Fassino was right behind Bodary, taking sixth (5th) in 25:44.46, while junior Tom Gilmartin came in ninth (7th) in 25:49.97. Senior Chris Rapp, seeing his first action since the 2008 campaign, closed out the Big Orange's scoring five by taking 12th (9th) in 26:00.82.
Week one leader Jake Rainey, a freshman, was Tennessee's sixth finisher, crossing the line right behind Rapp in 13th at 26:02.28. He did not count toward the team total.
Tennessee is idle next weekend, but the Vols return to action on Oct. 1 when they travel to Bethlehem, Pa., for the Brooks Paul Short Run. The 8K race is hosted by Lehigh.
MEN'S TEAM RESULTS: 1. Tennessee 27; 2. Chattanooga 47; 3. Belmont 91; 4. Southeast Missouri 118; 5. Lipscomb 144; 6. Vanderbilt 158; 7. Union 182; 8. Rhodes 189; 9. Bethel 287; 10. Blue Mountain 296; 11. University of the South 297; 12. Freed-Hardeman 389; 13. Trevecca Nazarene 407.
VOL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: 3. (2.) Michael Spooner 25:25.61; 5. (4.) Chris Bodary 25:42.14; 6. (5.) Steve Fassino 25:44.46; 9. (7.) Tom Gilmartin 25:49.97; 12. (9.) Chris Rapp 26:00.82; 13. (10.) Jake Rainey 26:02.28!; 29. (24.) Stephen Derlath 26:33.63!; 32. Tyler Freeman 26:37.62!; 33. Daniel Tobin 26:39.50!; 42. David Clabo 26:58.29; 70. Alex McCandless 28:02.13!
