Sept. 2, 2006
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The 2006 season got underway for the Arizona State University cross country program at the George Kyte Invitational Saturday afternoon at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz., as both the men and women's teams finished third overall in the team standings. The Sun Devil women saw two of its runners finish in the Top 5 overall as the team scored 63 points while the men, who scored 74 points, had three Top 15 runners. Arizona won both races with the women scoring 42 points while the men had 40.
In the women's race, Whitney Hardt covered the 5k course in 18:21.70 to take runner-up honors while Sereena Harmon, running in her first race for the Sun Devils, placed fifth in 18:39.20. The women's team, which ran just five athletes in the race, saw Jenny Cohen (17th in 19:49.30), Jocelyn Buras (22nd in 20:06.00) and Samantha Knobbe (37th in 21:43.70) also compete on the day.
David Gott led the men as he finished 11th overall in the 8k race, clocking in at 26:36.50 while teammate David Mehlhorn came in right behind him to finish 12th in 26:40.80. Also competing for the men were Jack Mann (14th in 26:48.70), Max Baecker (33rd at 28:57.70), Ross Blahnik (34th in 28:58.60) and Brent Wood (41st in 29:32.20).
The Sun Devils will take a week off from competition before heading to Tucson on September 15 (Friday) as they take part in the Dave Murray Invitational, hosted by Arizona.