MSU Men, Women Cross Country Teams Finish 9th At SEC Championships

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Rather than dwell on what didn't happen on Monday at the SEC Cross Country Championships, Mississippi State coach Houston Franks hopes the expectations not met are used as motivation for the regionals.

At the Lambert Acres Golf Course, both the men's and women's teams placed 9th.

The Bulldogs, paced by Juan Sanchez' time of 25:37.70 in the 8K, scored 234 points, while the Lady Bulldogs, led by Renee Masterson's run of 21:39.07 in the 6K, totaled 233.

"It's disappointing in the end," Franks said. "We've just got to figure out what it's going to take to get back in the front of the pack for regionals. We had much bigger goals for today. Unfortunately, we just didn't execute. All we can now is head back home, get a couple of good weeks of practice in and get ready for the regionals."

Rounding out the men's scores were John Valentine (44th, 25:37.86), Cameron Vernier (51st, 25:51.65), Philip Johnson (57th,26:01.64), Mike Clark (64th, 26:20.40), Julian Duarte (72nd, 26:31.78) and Connor Denison (76th, 26:53.91.)

On the women's side behind Masterson were Anna Jarman (39th, 21:54.60), Jodie McGuff (55th, 22:17.93), Haley Greenwell (61st, 22:32.18), Emma Neigel (69th, 22:52.82), Carmen Brothers (74th, 23:04.16) and Katie Huston (77th, 23:09.96).

"We flat out didn't execute what we came to the SECs to do," Masterson said. "We can only hope this defeat provides the momentum we need to carry us into regionals in order for us to be competitive at a higer level."

Monday's Results
Men: 1. Arkansas (33), 2. Florida (66), 3. Georgia (68), 4. Kentucky (126), T5. Tennessee (169), T5. Alabama (169), 7. Ole Miss (179), 8. Auburn (183), 9. Mississippi State (234), 10. LSU (2325), 11. Vanderbilt (300).

MSU: 43. Juan Sanchez (25:37.70), 44. John Valentine (25:37.86), 51. Cameron Vernier (25:51.65), 57. Philip Johnson (26:01.64), 64. Mike Clark (26:20.40), 72. Julian Duarte (26:31.78), 76. Connor Denison (26:53.91.)

Women: 1. Vanderbilt (30), 2. Arkansas (61), 3. Florida (62), 4. Georgia (124), 5. Ole Miss (158), 6. Alabama (181), 7. Tennessee (184), 8. Kentucky (214), 9. Mississippi State (233), 10. Auburn (247), 11. South Carolina (295), 12. LSU (337).

MSU: 30. Renee Masterson (21:39.07), 39. Anna Jarman (21:54.60), 55. Jodie McGuff (22:17.93), 61. Haley Greenwell (22:32.18), 69. Emma Neigel (22:52.82), 74. Carmen Brothers (23:04.16), 77. Katie Huston (23:09.96).