CULLOWHEE, N.C. --- Chattanooga distance runner Lesley Green left the field behind and claimed the title in the 10,000 meter run Monday night at the 2023 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Catamount Athletic Complex in Cullowhee, N.C. The Mocs finish the day in fifth behind The Citadel and just ahead of Furman.
 
Green wore down the competition in the long distance race finishing more than 47 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.
 
"She ran alone for the last 2.5 miles and won by about 350 meters," Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer said. "It was a very well deserved championship. No one works harder, keeps forcused and remains dedicated to a purpose. She earned this victory for herself and the university."
 
Green led wire-to-wire and pulled away to claim the win with a time of 35:09.66. She is a three-time all-conference performer at this distance, earning all-freshman honors in 2021 with a third place finish and repeating the placing in 2022 for her second all-conference finish.
 
In the 3000 meter Steeplechase, Emma Russum was on pace for an all-conference finish but took a fall on a barrier with 300 meter to go and came across in fifth, earning four points for the Mocs on the opening day. Despite the fall, she ran a personal best 11:13.73, beating out her previous best time by more than five seconds.
 
Also posting a PR was Faith Brown who also scored for the Mocs in the event with a seventh place finish with a time of 11:45.95. Julianna McReynolds also posted a personal best time in the steeplechase.
 
"All the girls ran well in the steeple," Meyer said. "She was positioned for third but took a tumble and finished fifth overall. Faith ran a smart race and was able to place a very good seventh."
 
Sarah Unterholzner placed sixth in the 400 meter Hurdles Monday evening and qualified for the Tuesday finals with a time of 1:06.04.
 
"Sarah ran a good heat," Meyer said. "Reagan [Ruth] did well in her heat of the 100 meter Hurdles and ran her season best. [Jessika Rennich] came back in the 400 meter and ran her season best, just like Reagan."
 
Imani Bryant had two strong runs in the 100 meter and the 200 meter dashes. In the 800 meter Lexi Foley and Emmy Davis posted season best times.
 
Coverage on ESPN+ begins at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Mocs will start with the 4x400 meter relay at 4:00 p.m.. The 1500 meter finals with Leah Boyd, Hannah Dearing and Maddie Wheatcroft is set to follow. Unterholzner will run the 400 meter Hurdles final at 6:00 p.m.
 
Russum, Green, Boyd, Andrea Ellis and Allie Potter will compete in the 5000 meter run at 6:40 and conclude the championships with the 4x100 meter relay.
 
Links for streaming video and live results are available online at GoMocs.com.
 
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Women's results – Day 1
1. Samford – 81.5 points
2. ETSU – 35
3. Wofford – 32
4. The Citadel – 24
5. Chattanooga – 16
6. Furman – 15
7. Western Carolina – 13.5
8. VMI – 10
9. Mercer – 7
10. UNCG – 0
 
Day 1 champions
Women: Hammer throw Hannah Daffin, Samford (54.15 meters); long jump Eleyah Armstrong, VMI (5.98 meters); pole vault Brittany Bishop, Samford (4.06m*); javelin Erin Long, Samford, (50.68 meters); 3,000-meter steeplechase Chanelle Kruger, ETSU (10:53.54); 10,000-meter run Lesley Green, Chattanooga (35:09.66).
 
* meet record
 
CHATTANOOGA RESULTS – Day One

100m Prelims
18	Imani Bryant	12.76
100m Hurdles Prelims
11	Reagan Ruth	16.05
200m Prelims
20	Imani Bryant	26.41
400m Prelims
14	Jessika Rennich	1:02.21
400m Hurdles Prelims
6	Sarah Unterholzner	1:06.04	Q
12	Reagan Ruth	1:10.81
800m Prelims
16	Emmy Davis	2:27.13
17	Lexi Foley	2:27.88
3000m Steeplechase Final
5	Emma Russum	11:13.73	4 pts
7	Faith Brown	11:45.95	2 pts
12	Julianna McReynolds	12:24.07
10,000m Final
1	Lesley Green	35:09.66	10 pts
12	Camden Morris	41:22.75