LSU junior Rachael Graham said she wanted to have a good performance Saturday at the LSU Tiger Cross Country Festival because it was the first time her parents were able to see her race.
In front of her family and friends, Graham led the women’s team to a No. 1 finish, winning the race with a time of 22:50.
At the Lobo Invitational on Sept. 9, Graham also posted a top-10 finish, placing ninth.
“Rachael is coming on very well,” LSU cross country coach Mark Elliott said. “Each time she runs she is developing more and more confidence.”
Also scoring in the top 10 for the women’s team were junior Megan Broussard, sophomore Jennifer Stark and junior Katie Dawson, placing No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8, respectively.
Junior Lindsay Day rounded out the scoring for the women’s team with a No. 13 finish.
Elliott said he expected the team to do well running on its home course.
“I thought the women ran well today,” Elliott said. “They performed better than I expected, but that is what you should do on your home course.”
The men used a team effort to win the meet. All five LSU runners placed in the top 15.
Senior Drew Haro paced the men’s team with a No. 5 finish.
Haro did not race in the Lobo Invitational because he said Elliott wanted to allow some of the younger runners the opportunity to race.
Seniors Matthew Guy and Jace Gohres also finished in the top 10, finishing No. 9 and No. 10, respectively.
Elliott said that despite the victories, the teams have room for improvement.
“As a team it is great to win,” he said. “From an individual standpoint, I didn’t feel like we had any outstanding performers.”
South Alabama senior Vincent Rono won the men’s meet with a time of 25:22.
The Tigers’ next competition will be Sept. 30 at the Auburn Invitational.
—–Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]