Men place 16^th out of 26 teams, women 18^th of 27 teams

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Nov. 15, 2013) – The ETSU men’s and women’s cross country teams both finished among the top-18 teams at the NCAA South Regional on Friday with the men posting a 16^th-place finish, while the women notched an 18^th-place finish at the Harry Pritchett Running Course in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The men started off the action in a 10K at 11 a.m. ET and the Buccaneers were led by Filip Jalovy (Modrice, Czech Republic) who placed 53^rd overall with a collegiate-best time in a 10K of 31:27.25. The junior, who has been the catalyst for the Blue and Gold during the second half of the season, was followed in the standings by senior Desmond Pierce (Morristown, Tenn.) who turned in a 61^st-place finish and a 31:33.81 time.

Also in the top-75 overall for the Bucs was Sean Duffy (Jonesborough, Tenn.) with a time of 31:45.95 and a 74^th-place standing.

Bunched within the top-96 overall were teammates Anders Ludvigsen (Odense, Denmark) in 93^rd with a 32:09.10 time, while James Miller (Oak Ridge,Tenn.) placed 96^th with a time of 32:10.92.

Angus Baldwin (Tumbi Umbi, Australia) registered at 106^th overall with a time of 32:29.45, while Dylan Harper (Pikeville, Tenn.) brought up the rear for the Bucs in 124^th place with a 33:04.33 time.

These six scores added up to a total score of 375 for the Bucs, good for 16^th overall out of 26 teams. Lipscomb was the highest-finishing Atlantic Sun team in 6^th place with a score of 199, while Georgia took the top spot with a score of 72.

“Our men’s team did not perform up to the expectations I have for ETSU cross country,” said ETSU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country George Watts. “The responsibility begins with me as the head coach. Whether we win or lose we must put forth our best effort on any given day. We didn’t do that today. That will change going forward.”

Later, on the women’s side in a 6K at 12:15 p.m. ET, the Bucs were again led by Katie Hirko (Oley, Pa.) who placed 28^th overall with a time of 20:54.64. Following Hirko in the standings, as has been the case the entire season, was Chelsea Clark (Fairmont, W.Va.) sneaking into the top 95 overall at 94^th with a 21:55.73 time.

Following ETSU’s one-two punch of Hirko and Clark in the standings were Jessica Palmer (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) in 115^th with a time of 22:13.68 and freshman Victoria Hutchens (Stuart, Va.) in 128^th with a 22:30.17 time.

Completing ETSU’s participants at the Regional were Lisa Pallotta (Leesburg, Va.) placing 165^th with a time of 22:33.92 and freshman Carmen Hilliard (Oak Island, N.C.) in 172^nd with a 23:47.92 time.

These six scores added up to a score of 501 for ETSU, good for 18^th overall out of 27 teams. Once again, Lipscomb was the highest-finishing A-Sun squad in 8^th place with a score of 223. Florida State led the field with a score of 35.

“Our women’s team fell a little short of our goal for this meet, but we improved our team place from last year,” said Watts. "Katie ran another solid race and is beginning to understand the type of run needed to run in NCAA competition."

“The women made great progress individually and as a team this season. I want to congratulate Katie and Filip for being the most valuable runners for the season.”

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