WINGATE, N.C. - In an early preview of the 2015 NCAA Cross Country Southeast Regional, sophomore Haylee Love slashed more than a minute off her previous personal-best time to win the Bulldog Stampede, hosted by Wingate on Saturday morning at the Bulldogs' Cross Country Facility.
Love's title helped propel the Trojans to second place overall in the 6K event, which featured a 20-team field that included seven of the top-10 ranked teams in the region.
"We ran really well," said Anderson head coach Kevin Licht. "And
we were very excited about Haylee winning the race. We are very
proud. "
The Trojans, ranked fifth in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll, finished just behind fourth-ranked Wingate and out-dueled both No. 2-ranked North Georgia and third-ranked Queens in the head-to-head matchup.
Love crossed the finish line in a time of 22:50.45, just ahead of Lincoln Memorial's Whitney Elliott (22:51.23). AU junior Olivia Gardner claimed 15th in a time of 23:46.44, while sophomore Alex Dixon was just behind in 16th place after posting a time of 23:54.42. Freshman Martha Coleman (24:14.34) nearly equaled her time from two weeks ago in Greenville, while claiming 27th place.
Newcomer Abigail Bozarth was 36th in a time of 24:31.97, with junior Grace Gerlock taking 53rd in a time of 25:08.35 and junior Mia Swiersz finishing 72nd in a time of 25:42.92 in her first action of the season.
Junior Amber Worthy (26:07.91) and freshman Maddie Buddenberg (26:15.32) finished 87th and 89th, respectively. Sophomore Allison Halperin crossed the line in 104th in a time of 26:47.51 and junior Bari Robinson rounded out the Trojan contingent in 138th in her first race of the campaign.
Anderson will get back on the course, Friday, Oct. 9, when the Trojans are scheduled to make their second appearance in the Queen City to compete in the Royals Challenge.
