Crimson Classic Women's Results

Crimson Classic Men's Results

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Nicholls State University cross country teams made their marks in school record fashion at the 2010 Crimson Classic hosted by the University of Alabama on Saturday.

In their first outing on traditional 8k men/5k women courses, Nicholls was led by it's women's program.  The Colonel women's team entered the weekend ranked No. 13 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's South Central Regional Rankings, and although finishing behind the No. 14 ranked Tulane Green Wave, the Colonels had plenty to be happy about.

"We're not too worried about finishing behind Tulane," head coach Scott Williamson said.  "We can beat them when it counts.  This was our first traditional race of the year, and our seniors still turned in records, and our younger runners ran very well.  So I'm very pleased about that."

Senior Lauren Jones led the way in school record fashion.  Jones' 12th place time of 18:03.70 was the best 5K cross country time in school history and finished just 11 seconds away from a top-ten finish. 

Senior Kadi Whisnant finished less than 30 seconds behind Jones, clocking in at 18:30.20, the second fastest time in school history.  However, in the largest field in the history of Alabama's Crimson Classic, Whisnant placed 26th on the day.

The Colonel women's squad was rounded out by Jessica McLeod (47th place, 19:03.40), Emily Charlesworth (63rd place, 19:37.60) and Jackie White (64th place, 19:40.40) to total 188 points for eighth place.  Nicholls narrowly missed out a top-five finish as just three points separated sixth, seventh and eighth place.  The Colonels finished just 31 points behind fifth place Tulane and less than three minutes separated the first 64 runners.

On the men's side, Nicholls was led by freshman Blaine Gisclair who finished the 8K course in 28:38.70 as the Colonels low stick. 

The Colonels will return to action next weekend when they head to Pensacola, Fla. for the 2010 Gulf Coast Stampede hosted by the University of West Florida.