Middle Tennessee Sixth At Belmont Opener

NASHVILLE - Newcomer Jonathan Guillou led Middle Tennessee runners in the season opener at the Belmont Cross-Country Invitational at Percy Warner Park in Nashville Friday.

Guillou finished 23rd with a time of 16:04.92 to lead the Blue Raider contingent to a sixth-place finish (out of 12 teams) with a team-total of 146 points. The Lady Raiders had only three finishers and therefore didn't qualify for a team score, but Middle Tennessee's trio of competitors were first, 12th and 20th behind the pack of defending Sun Belt Conference champion Western Kentucky runners, which was a positive as far as coach Dean Hayes is concerned.

"Several of our newcomers came in and ran well on the men's side and there's definitely some promising aspects to build on there," Hayes said. "The girls we had finish competed and the way they worked gives us reason to believe we can improve our standing in the Sun Belt this season."

Derek Dell followed Guillou with a time of 16:09.91 (28th), while Geoffrey Lagat was right behind him with a 16:10.37 (29th). Steve Safstrom ran the 5K race in 16:24.78 (31st), and David Hughes rounded out the Blue Raider scoring with a finish of 16:40.53 (39th).

Lady Raider newcomer Sara Lunning was the team's top finisher. Her time of 16:49.48 was good for 80th place. Marjorie Gombert (17:03.18) was the second Lady Raider to cross the finish line, and Miranda Gallaway followed her with a time of 17.29.68.

Both squads will run at the UTC Opener in Chattanooga Friday.

RESULTS
MEN 5K
24. Jonathan Guillou, 16:04.92
28. Derek Dell, 16:09.91
29. Geoffrey Lagat, 16:10.37
33. Steve Safstrom, 16:24.74
41. David Hughes, 16:40.53

WOMEN 4K
80. Sara Lunning, 16:49.48 91. Marjorie Gombert, 17:03.18 99. Miranda Gallway, 17:29.68

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