University of Georgia Athletics
Lady Bulldogs Tie For 16th At NCAA Pre-Nationals
October 18, 2008 | Cross Country
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. --- The Georgia women’s cross country team scored 467 points to tie for 16th at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday morning.
The Lady Bulldogs tied with Washington State in their 6K race as No. 1 Washington (36 points), No. 13 Villanova (126) and No. 4 Minnesota (198) finished first, second and third, respectively.
The Bulldog men completed their 8K race in 39th place (1,050). No. 6 Alabama (89), TNo. 16 Northern Arizona (113) and No. 9 Michigan (146) rounded out the top three on the men’s side.
“The women are working hard and that is evident in their performance. By that I mean they were a little tired out there today, but they worked well together. I think we are pretty close to getting where we want to be,” said coach Jeff Pigg. “On the men’s side, not one of the guys who ran for us today had been here before. So I definitely think we picked up some decent experience. This was a meet that could have been rough for us, but I proud of the way the guys worked today.”
The Lady Bulldogs’ top finisher was senior Natalie Picchetti, who clocked a 21:05.9 to take 33rd overall. Senior Kiah Vernon, who was Georgia’s top finisher last year, finished 101st this season after finishing in 21:53.2 to be the Lady Bulldogs’ second finisher.
Georgia’s other scorers were junior Bridget Lyons (108th 21:55.6), sophomore Jennifer Barbi (110th 21:57.3) and sophomore Kylie Foley (115th 22:02.4). Freshman Kristie Krueger, who had been the Lady Bulldogs’ second finisher at all three meets this season, finished 186th battling a sickness.
“I like this group a lot and I fully intend to be bringing this team back to this course for the NCAA Championships,” Pigg said.
Freshman J.P. Hackney led Georgia for this first time in his brief career after clocking a 25:39.5 for 191st place. Behind Hackney was junior Corey Hunter, who completed the course in 196th place with a time of 25:41.7.
“J.P. did a really good job and I am proud of his effort,” said Pigg.
Senior Dustin Tetley was the third scorer for the Bulldogs on Saturday after finishing 201st (25:44.2). Rounding out the scoring for Georgia were senior Jesse Marino, who was 227th (26:02.6), and freshman Miles Svoboda, who came in at 235th (26:07.0).
Senior Ross Ridgewell and junior Brian Potts, who combined to top the Bulldogs in their first three meets of the season, did not travel because of minor injuries. The pair is expected to return for the Southeastern Conference Championships.
Georgia returns to action at the SEC Championships in Starkville, Miss., on Monday, Nov. 3.
