Both LSU’s men’s and women’s cross country teams started the season with sixth place finishes at the Lobo Invitational on Saturday.
Junior Rachael Graham led the women’s team, finishing No. 9.
Coach Mark Elliot said he was proud of Graham’s performance.
“Rachael ran really well,” Elliot said. “I can’t be anything but pleased with her effort.”
Juniors Megan Broussard, Lindsay Day, Christy Zirkle and Katie Dawson also scored for the Tigers.
Elliot said he was pleased with where the women’s team finished.
“Overall, I think the women had a good showing today,” he said.
Texas A&M won the women’s meet, with four of their runners placing in the top 10.
Elliot said the men’s team was without two key contributors. Despite their lack of depth, Elliot said he expected the team to finish better.
“The men, even without our top two runners, I thought would be in the top four as a team,” he said.
Leading the men was freshman Brett Borne, placing No. 25.
Junior Michael Hendry and freshmen Alan Sticker and Michael Florek finished No. 35, No. 36, and No. 37, respectively, for the Tigers.
Also scoring for the Tigers was junior Jeffrey Parker, who finished No. 48.
Elliot said he was pleased with the way his freshmen ran.
“I thought the freshmen did real well today,” he said. “They are used to running three miles, and they ran five today for the first time and had good showings.”
The University of Texas at El Paso won the men’s race because of four top six finishes.
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