Songock Second, Gombert 16th in Final SBC Tuneup

Songock was third overall and the second collegian in the 5K race, finishing in 15:22 in the team's final race before the conference championships. It was his second straight second-place finish in just two career races for the freshman after finishing second at the Greater Louisville Classic two weeks ago.

The men placed fifth as a team, with senior Tony Carufe posting a personal-best time of 16:51 for 29th place. Freshmen Chris Travis and Philip Benavides were 34th and 35th, respectively, with marks of 17:26 and 17:27, while junior Matthew Young placed 37th in 17:48.

Sophomores Luke Pfleger and Ryan Hood were 40th and 41st, respectively, with times of 18:37 and 19:28.

"William did a good job and finished well despite falling to all fours at one point during the race, skinning both his elbows and knees," head coach Dean Hayes said. "And Carufe had a big PR. The other guys ran well, especially Chris Travis and Benavides."

For the men, junior Gombert led three runners in the Top 20 and a fourth-place team finish.

Gombert finished the two-mile course in 12:03, with senior Sara Lunning placing 18th in 12:13 and freshman Sangau Zamzam 19th in 12:16. Sophomores Tiffany Sawyer came in 24th in 12:44, with sophomore Ashley Comstock running much better in her second race of the year and finishing 30th in 12:58.

Sophomores Ashleigh Thaler and Catherine Chester were 41st and 42nd, respectively, with marks of 13:34 and 13:37.

"The girls were really bunched in there together and ran well," Hayes said. "Marjorie was very good again, and Sara and Zamzam both ran well. Plus Ashley was much better this week and finished in our top five, which could be a big plus for the Sun Belt."

Middle Tennessee runs next at the Sun Belt Championships on Saturday, October 28 in Little Rock, Ark.

FRONTRUNNER INVITATIONAL
Moccasin Bend Course
October 14, 2006
MEN - 5K
2. William Songock, 15:22
29. Tony Carufe, 16:51
34. Chris Travis, 17:26
35. Philip Benavides, 17:27
37. Matthew Young, 17:48
40. Luke Pfleger, 18:37
41. Ryan Hood, 19:28

WOMEN - 2 miles
16. Marjorie Gombert, 12:03
18. Sara Lunning, 12:13
19. Sangau Zamzam, 12:16
24. Tiffany Sawyer, 12:44
30. Ashley Comstock, 12:58
41. Ashleigh Thaler, 13:34
42. Catherine Chester, 13:37

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