University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Tennessee Dual
Men's Team Takes First at Inaugural Tennessee Dual
September 03, 2016 | Track & Field
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-- The Tennessee men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2016 season at the Tennessee Dual on Saturday, Sept. 3. The men won and the women placed second to the UT Martin in the first race ever run at the Tennessee Cross Country Course at Cherokee Farm..
"We felt fairly confident that we'd be challenged heavily by UT Martin. We have a very young squad. It's also a very thin squad. We know that," said UT Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan. "I am very proud of the men, it's a great win, it's the first win of the year on the men's side. I am thrilled that they came in here and owned their home course."
Sophomore Zach Long lead the Vols to the finish line, placing second in the 4-mile race with a time of 21:00.20. Wesley Robinson led the UT men at the 3-mile split and finished the competition in third recording a time of 21:16.5. Finishing in first place for UT Martin was freshman Edwin Kurgat (20:57.0).
Three of Tennessee's 12 runners ran unattached; freshman Adam Johnston (sixth, 21:31.1), sophomore Brad Swiney (eighth, 21:33.7) and freshman Gashaw Duhamel (10th, 21:35.0). Those three ran in a pack alongside junior Andre Hillsman (seventh, 21:31.7) and redshirt freshman Joe Bindner (ninth, 21:34.8) to help the Vols wrap up the team victory 27-29 over the Skyhawks.
"We ran well early. We had a nice pack the whole race, and I felt like it was a good start for the team. It was a weird distance for us, but it was a good learning experience," said Long.
The women's squad walked away with a second-place team finish. Sophomore Peighton Meske completed the 3-mile race with a time of 18:45.6, placing fifth. Sophomore Julia Rizor crossed the line shortly after, recording a time of 18:54.5, followed by her sister, Jessica Rizor (18:57.3). Ann Asipan won the individual race for the Skyhawks, posting a time of 18:00.1.
"They ran tough today. We asked them to pack up, and the three of them packed up very well. They've been training together side-by-side and stride-for-stride. They really tagged up together, and did a good job," said Alford-Sullivan.
Saturday was the first race at the Tennessee Cross Country Course at Cherokee Farm. The course opened this year after spending the past two years as a practice facility for the Vols cross country squads.
"They have done a great job; our groundskeepers have done a tremendous job of building out this course," Alford-Sullivan said. "People came down, it is just so impressive and beautiful. You got the river and it actually is a great course for these kids to be training on and racing on. We are excited, we plan to build out a great invitational in the future."
Both the men's and women's teams will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Commodore Classic in Nashville.
Tennessee fans can follow Volunteer cross country on Instagram and Twitter @Vol_Track.
