October 13, 2012

Men's Cross Country Clocks School Best Third Place at Chile Pepper Festival

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Men's Cross Country team paced their way to a third-place finish out of 34 teams today in the 10k at the 24th Annual Chile Pepper Festival, marking their best finish in school history at Agri Park. The women's team placed 21st out of 43 teams in the 6k and second in the Southland Conference.

"The men's team ran the best race we have ever ran here," Head Coach Shawn Flanagan said. "They listened and believed in themselves and executed well. They did everything pretty perfect to finish in the top three. This is a major achievement for this program and gives us a good boost going into the conference meet. It's the best finish in school history as a team finish goes."

The men' team, who are ranked No. 8 in the South Regional rankings, finished in third with 173 points. The Islanders finished behind Oklahoma State (20 points) and Texas Tech (109 points). The Islanders finished ahead of LMU and South Dakota State who tied for fourth place with 181 points. The Islanders finished ahead of Stephen F. Austin (7th place, 227 points), Central Arkansas (11th place, 312 points), Northwestern State (28th place, 799 points) and Oral Roberts (29th place, 878 points) out of the Southland Conference.

Patrick Kimeli paced the men's team with his best Chile Pepper finish in eighth place. The senior clocked a 10k time of 30:35.6, just short of his career-best time of 29:58.1, set last season. Finishing in second for the Islanders was Philipp Baar in 26th place with a time of 31:24.3. The sophomore improved his time by 37 seconds, despite a wet and muddy course. Sophomore Christoph Hintz made his Chile Pepper debut with a time of 32:14 in 52nd place. Abel Koskey was the fourth Islander to finish in 60th place with a time of 32:21. Paul Hansel placed 78th with a time of 32:38, improving his placing from last season by 77 spots. The sixth Islander to cross the line was senior Daniel Barlow in 84th place with a time of 32:40.7 and Adrian Marquez finished in 96th place with a time of 32:54.5. Valentinas Rudys rounded out the men's team with a time of 33:57.2.

On the women's side, the Islanders, who are ranked No. 9 in the South Regional rankings, finished the 6k in 21st place with 596 points. The squad placed two slots in front of Southland foe McNeese State and three spots ahead of Central Arkansas. Stephen F. Austin led the conference in 11th place with 326 points. Arkansas took first place (58 points), while Oklahoma State (103 points) finished in second and SMU placed third (155 points).

"The women's team got out and executed but they fell off," Flanagan said. "For whatever reason they didn't hold position and they dropped back. We have the talent and ability and they have been running so well. If we pull ourselves together in two weeks for the conference meet we will be fine and we will get good results."

BreAnna Briggs improved her placing this year by 22 spots to pace the women's team. The senior finished in 48th place with a time of 22:23.9. Jasmine Boutte was the second Islander to cross the line in 121st place with a time of 23:21.1. Seven spots behind Boutte was Vanessa Galindo in 128th place with a time of 23:30.1. Boutte and Galindo both improved their times from a year ago. Last season as freshmen Boutte clocked a time of 24.18.6 and Galindo finished with a time of 24:12.4. Finishing fourth for the Islanders was freshman Alexandra Fernandez with a time of 24:11.5 and behind her was Cecilia Jones with a time of 24:31.4. Rounding out the Islanders was freshman Regina Salinas with a time of 25:01.4.

The Islanders are off the next two weeks and will return to action on Friday, Oct. 26, when they compete in the Southland Conference Championships in Beaumont, Texas, hosted by Lamar.

For the latest information, follow Islanders Cross Country on Twitter (@IslandersTFXC) and Facebook (Texas A&M Corpus Christi Track & Field/Cross Country).

Chile Pepper Festival Results

Women's 6k Team Scores:

1. Arkansas 58

2. Oklahoma State 103

3. SMU 155

4. LSU 174

5. LMU 181

6. James Madison 206

7. Richmond 224

8. UTSA 241

9. TCU 255

10. Nevada 263