Jackson, Miss. -The Southern University Jaguars men’s and women’s cross country team competed in 2002 Jackson State University Cross Country Invitational September 28. The muddy Mississippi course did not stop the Jaguars from performing well.
“We ran on the site where we’re going to have the cross country championship, so anything that happened was positive, because we got the chance to see what we will have to run for SWAC. ” said Johnny Thomas, Southern University head cross country coach.
The Lady Jags placed third in the meet with 61 points. Coming in first was Alcorn State University with 33 and the Lady Tigers of Jackson State placed second with 45 points.
“We came out here a little unprepared due to the weather and the course was not mapped out right, so we lost good position and were set back,” said sophomore runner Rayla Hunt.
Although the ladies were routed the wrong way while running the course, the ladies proved that it would not be easy to beat them during the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships.
Erikka Thomas placed third leading the Lady Jags with the time of 21 minutes, 22.40 seconds.
“Erikka Thomas did as well as she normally does. Latasha Bradsaw has improved tremendously and Aisha and Brandi ran well,” Thomas said.
Hunt placed tenth, clocking in at 22:54.40 and Latasha Bradsaw placed 13th and ran a time of 23:21.27.
Jovanni Anderson, who is still dealing with a foot injury, placed 17th with a time of 24: 09.40. Coming in at18th and 19th place was Aisha Harris and Brandi Angrum.
“I am very happy with the performance of the men, not because they won first place but how they went about doing it,” Thomas said.
Placing first with 30 points was Southern. Jackson State placed second with 45 points, and Alcorn placed third with 68.
Leading the team once again was Charles Moon. Moon placed second with a time of 29:6.97. Following close behind in fourth and fifth place were Darnell Parker clocking in at 30:30.60 and Clary Reed with time of 30:49.89.
Anthony Lee showed great improvement at the meet placing 11th with the time of 32:19.97. Placing 8th and 14th were Murray Guillory and Korey Crumpe.
Both the men and women are in a good position to make their mark at the SWAC Championships.
