University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Set For 39th Annual Paul Short Run
September 27, 2012 | Track & Field
Sept. 27, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee men’s and women’s cross country squads will make their annual trip north to Bethlehem, Pa., to compete in the 39th annual Paul Short Run, presented by Brooks on Friday morning. Lehigh University will once again host one of the largest meets in the country with over 5,000 runners from over 400 teams. The all-day event will begin at 11 a.m. for the UT harriers, who are making their 11th appearance at the event.
The 2012 field will consist of an ultra-competitive lineup that includes four nationally ranked men’s team and three top 10 women’s squads. The men’s race will feature No. 15 Georgetown, No. 17 Princeton, No. 22 Villanova and No. 28 Columbia, while the women’s side includes No. 4 Georgetown, No. 7 Providence and No. 9 Villanova.
The Vols have had a great season so far, posting a first and third place team finish at the Belmont Opener and Vanderbilt Commodore Classic, respectively.
The Big Orange has been led by sophomore transfer Peter Okwera, who finished third at the Belmont 5K and nearly won the Commodore Classic in an 8K time out 24:36.49, just .34 seconds behind the race winner. Freshman Kyle Walter finished 13th and 17th in UT’s two races, and garnered Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week honors for his efforts at Vanderbilt. Walter was the SEC’s top rookie finisher at the event.
The Lady Vols posted a fourth and a 12th place finish in the season’s two races. Freshman Alexis Panisse and senior Kelsey Kane have led the Orange & White. Panisse finished seventh at the Belmont Opener and 12th at the Commodore Classic, while Kane has notched a 12th and 35th place finish.
Last season at the Paul Short Run, the Tennessee men placed 37th out of 45 teams and was led by then-senior Chris Bodary, who placed 90th overall. The women, who won the event in 2004, finished 32nd in 2011.
For more information about the Tennessee harriers, visit UTSports.com and follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.
