Sangau, Songock Lead Harriers at UTC

Zamzam Sangau placed fourth Friday at the UTC PowerAde Invitational, almost two minutes faster than in last year's opening meet at UTC. (Nelson Chenault)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Sophomores Zamzam Sangau and William Songock were the top finishers for the Middle Tennessee women and men, placing fourth and 19th, respectively and leading the Blue Raider cross country teams Friday at the UTC PowerAde Invitational in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Zamzam finished behind a runner from Auburn and two from Georgia Tech in the nine-team meet, finishing two miles in 11:23, almost two minutes faster than last year in this same meet.

Senior Marjorie Gombert and junior Ashley Comstock finished 18th and 21st, respectively, for the women in times of 11:54 and 12:03, leading the women to a fourth place showing among nine teams. Freshman Marla Bailey was 25th (12:26) in her collegiate debut, while junior Tiffany Sawyer finished 28th in 12:33 and sophomore Kaitlyn Hammond was 42nd (13:09).

Sophomore Ashleigh Thaler (43rd, 13:09), senior Catherine Chester (50th, 13:38) and freshman Sarah Nambawa (56th, 13:58) rounded out the women's performances.

For the men Songock placed 19th in a strong field, running 5K in 15:59, while freshman Isaac Biwott finished 23rd in 16:09 in his collegiate debut and freshman Julius Kurui was 27th in 16:18. Sophomore Philip Benavides and freshman Adam Cunningham were 38th and 46th, respectively, with times of 17:08 and 17:29, helping the men finish sixth overall.

Senior Matthew Young (52nd, 18:14), junior Luke Pfleger (53rd, 18:25) and senior Chris Travis (75th, 19:09) rounded out the men's performances.

"Zamzam ran very, very well and Marjorie and Ashley also ran well," head coach Dean Hayes said. "William ran a good race and was more competitive, which is always a positive, and Julius and Isaac both ran well. Philip Benavides continues to improve, which will help us for the Sun Belt [Championships]."

Both the men's and women's teams run again next week at the 26th Annual Paul Turner Old Timers Classic at Kereiakes Park in Bowling Green, Ky. Middle Tennessee will run later in the year at Kereiakes Park at the Sun Belt Championships on October 27.

UTC POWERADE INVITATIONAL
MEN - 5K (6th/9)
19. William Songock, 15:59
23. Isaac Biwott, 16:09
27. Julius Kurui, 16:18
38. Philip Benavides, 17:08
46. Adam Cunningham, 17:29
52. Matthew Young, 18:14
53. Luke Pfleger, 18:25
75. Chris Travis, 19:09

WOMEN - 2 MILES (4th/9)
4. Zamzam Sangau, 11:23
18. Marjorie Gombert, 11:54
21. Ashley Comstock, 12:03
25. Marla Bailey, 12:26
28. Tiffany Sawyer, 12:33
42. Kaitlyn Hammond, 13:09
43. Ashleigh Thaler, 13:15
50. Catherine Chester, 13:38
56. Sarah Nambawa, 13:58