Southern Miss
Conference USA XC Championship
Cross Country Eagles Take Fifth at the Conference USA Championships
11/1/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field/Cross Country
DENTON, Texas - The Southern Miss women's cross country team placed fifth at the 2014 Conference USA Championship on Saturday at the Eagle Point Cross Country Course in Denton, Texas, after each Golden Eagle turned in season-best performances.
"I'm very proud with the way our ladies competed today," said Coach Aaron Kindt. "To be able to come out here and run lifetime bests or right at it, with such a young group, at the most important meet of the year, the future is very bright for Southern Miss Cross Country."
The Golden Eagles placed sixth overall last season. Middle Tennessee captured the team championship with 55 points followed by Rice with 62, North Texas 91, Western Kentucky 142 and Southern Miss 150. Cali Roper of Rice was the individual title with a time of 16:43.7.
Rebecca Ulrich was the first Golden Eagle to cross the finish line, placing 19th overall after covering the 5K course with a time of 17:45.2 and earning third team all-conference honors. Daphney Stanford and Kristin Zarrella were next placing 27th and 28th, respectively with time of 18:01.6 and 18:08.7.
"Rebecca was outstanding today," Kindt said. "She's been our leader from day one and to see her earn all-conference honors, it was an honor well deserved. Daphney and Kristin both ran lifetime bests today. It's been a lot fun watching them grow this season and I still think their best is yet to come."
Alondra Hoyos ran a time of 18:25.0 while Dana Dillistone posted a time of 18:33.4. Katie Canavin recorded a time of 18:43.1 for the Eagles.
"Dana and Alondra came back to Denton with redemption on their minds and they were vital in our bid to finish a top 5 team. Both ran about a minute faster than what they ran the last time we came to Denton," Kindt said.
"The girls ran a very smart race today, we asked them for their best effort and they gave it. Coach Kindt had a great race strategy planned and the girls carried it out to perfection," said Coach Jon Stuart. "This was a great performance that will carry us into the future."
Team Finish
1 - Middle Tennessee - 55 pts
2 - Rice - 62 pts
3 - North Texas - 71 pts
4 - Western Kentucky - 142 pts
5 - Southern Miss - 150 pts
6 - UAB - 152 pts
7 - UTSA - 168 pts
8 - Charlotte - 183 pts
9 - Florida Atlantic - 200 pts
10 - UTEP - 260 pts
11 - Marshall - 297 pts
12 - FIU - 368 pts
13 - Louisiana Tech - 384 pts
