Men Claim Title at JSU Foothills, Women Second

Saturday, October 1

Jacksonville, AL

9:30 a.m.

Chattanooga

JSU Foothills Invitational

Photo by: Dale Rutemeyer

10/1/2016 4:45:00 PM | Cross Country & Track & Field

Results

By: Anne Wehunt

OXFORD, Ala. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's cross country team took first in the Red Division race at the Foothills Invitational hosted by Jacksonville State at the Oxford Cross Country Course in Oxford, Ala., and the women finished second.

"Both teams ran really well down there," Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer said. "The guys ran a smart race and I was really pleased with them. We knew we had a chance if they ran smart."

The Mocs placed three in the top four of the Red Division and all eight finished in the Top 25. Junior Brennan Huber (Manchester, Tenn.) led the men to the win with a second place finish at 25:04.2, just seven seconds behind Mercer's Ahmed Jamal. Senior Paul Stuart (Brentwood, Tenn.) was third with a time of 25:15.6 followed by sophomore transfer Gavin Hasty (Brentwood, Tenn.) who was fourth in the Division I race with a time of 25:27.6 on the 8-kilometer course.

Freshman Nathan Watson (Hendersonville, Tenn.) was the fourth UTC runner across the line placing ninth at 25:38.7 and senior Austin Casassa (Nashville, Tenn.) was the Mocs' fifth scoring runner placing 12^th at 25:43.1.

Chattanooga won the race with a score of 30 followed by Georgia Tech second with 61 points. Southern Conference foe Mercer was fifth in the race of six Division I teams with 125 points.

"The women's race was basically a dual meet between us and Georgia Tech," Meyer said. "We had six runners finish ahead of their sixth person, but their pack was ahead of ours."

The Yellow Jackets edged the Mocs 27-37 with four of the Top Five finishers.

The women placed eight in the Top 20 with four in the Top 10. Junior Maddison Melchionna (Afton, Tenn.) led the women, placing third with a time of 18:18.2 with two Georgia Tech runners ahead and behind her. She was followed by junior Hannah Chamblin (Memphis, Tenn.) in sixth covering the 5-kilometer course in a time of 18:29.1. Senior Jessica York (Normandy, Tenn.) was eighth at 18:32.9 and sophomore Brianna Nelson (Jefferson, Wisc.) placed ninth with a time of 18:36.8.

"Brianna Nelson ran an outstanding race," Meyer said. "The top four made a comeback with a faster split late in the race."

Former Southern Conference rival Georgia Southern was third with 93 points while currect SoCon member Mercer was fourth with 118 points.

"Everyone was pleased with their results," Meyer said. "They had tired legs, but realized how good they could be. We've trained hard the last three weeks and I'm excited for what everybody can do at conference. We're trying to keep everybody's focus on conference and I'm pleased with their effort."

The Mocs will return home to host the annual Front Runner Invitational Saturday, October 15 at Camp Jordan in East Ridge, Tenn. This will be a preview for the Southern Conference Championships that will be held on the same course on Saturday, October 29.

Men's Results
Team Results

1.	Chattanooga	30
2.	Georgia Tech	61
3.	Troy	73
4.	Austin Peay	88
5.	Mercer	125
6.	Jacksonville State	149

Individual Results

2.	Brennan Huber	25:04.2
3.	Paul Stuart	25:15.6
4.	Gavin Hasty	25:27.6
9.	Nathan Watson	25:38.7
12.	Austin Casassa	25:43.1
22.	John Payne	25:53.9
18.	Trevor Janssen	26:05.5
	Mark Britt	26:36.8

Women's Results
Team Results

1.	Georgia Tech	27
2.	Chattanooga	37
3.	Georgia Southern	93
4.	Mercer	118
5.	Troy	119
6.	Jacksonville State	130
7.	Austin Peay	178

Individual Results

3.	Maddison Melchionna	18:18.2
6.	Hannah Chamblin	18:29.1
8.	Jessica York	18:32.9
9.	Brianna Nelson	18:36.8
11.	Kennedy Thomson	18:43.5
14.	Haley Morris	18:49.2
17.	Anna Kate Chance	18:53.4
	Hannah Caldwell	19:04.0