University of Tennessee
Crimson Classic
Zach Long takes seventh at the Crimson Classic
October 14, 2016 | Track & Field
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Tennessee men's and women's cross country teams traveled to Tuscaloosa on Friday to compete in the Crimson Classic at Harry Pritchett Running Park. The men took 13th place in the 8K competiton while the women took 17th out of 25 teams.
Men's Results
- (7) Zach Long -- 24:51.5
- (50) Nick Brey -- 25:55.1
- (69) Andre Hillsman -- 26:09.5
- (71) Joe Bindner -- 26:10.2
- (72) Wesley Robinson -- 26:10.3
- (106) Gashaw Duhamel -- 26:39.8
- (144) Tyler Woodrome -- 27:09.3
- (197) Dartanian Oakley - 28:24.9
- (201) Drew Kelley - 28:42.6
Women's Results
- (25) Megan Murray - 21:34.3
- (34) Peighton Meske -- 21:45.2
- (138) Emma Reed -- 23:23.4
- (161) Jessica Rizor -- 23:45.1
- (190) Cassidy Giles -- 24:21.4
Sophomore Zach Long was the top finisher on the men's team for the fourth consecutive race as he placed seventh in a 265-man field. Long finished in 24:51.50 on a course that was 8,120 meters long. Junior Nick Brey followed shortly behind, finishing his second race as a member of the Big Orange in 25:55.10. Junior Andre Hillsman (69th, 26:09.50), redshirt freshman Joe Bindner (71st, 26:10.20) and sophomore Wesley Robinson (72nd, 26:10.30) packed up to round out the Volunteers' top five scorers.
"We had a great day today, we had a big breakthrough on the men's side. Zach Long had a tremendous effort finishing in the Top 10. That is a great result in a very competitive field with many of the top runners in the SEC. We had a lot of student-athletes step up and battle today. A couple didn't run as well, but Andre and Joe really picked them up. We were a top 10 team and finished it off well."
The men's team finished in ninth defeating four teams that were ranked in the top 15 of the South Region by the USTFCCCA. The big win came over the no. 3 ranked Florida State squad which the Vols defeated 256-416. The Vols also finished ahead of SEC foes LSU, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.
The women earned a 17th place team finish. Freshman Megan Murray led the Vols in her second career race crossing the finish line in 21:34.30. Sophomore Peighton Meske completed the 6K behind Murray with a new personal best, 21:45.20, to claim 34th overall. Emma Reed finished third for the Big Orange, recording a time of 23:23.40, followed by Jessica Rizor (23:45.10) and Cassidy Giles (24:21.40).
"On the women's side it was a great job by Peighton and Megan. Megan ran a great race in her first career 6K and Peighton also stepped up with a great bit of racing."
Both men's and women's teams will compete in the SEC Championship race on Oct. 28, hosted by the University of Arkansas at Agri Park Cross Country Course in Fayetteville, Ark. The women will compete in a 6K at 10:00 a.m. CST and the men's 8K will begina at 11:00 a.m. CST.
UT fans can follow the men's and women's cross country teams on Twitter and Instagram @Vol_Track.
