FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The LSU men's and women's cross country teams finished 17th and 20th respectively in the most competitive meet the Tigers have seen thus far, the Chile Pepper Festival on the Arkansas campus Saturday.
Top-ranked and defending national champion Oklahoma State posted 25 points to win the men's competition ahead of No. 15 Arkansas with 78 points. In the women's race, No. 17 Texas won the event with 85 points to finish just four points ahead of runners-up No. 11 Arkansas.
The Tigers were led by senior Cullen Doody, who came across the finish line in 50th place with a time of 30 minutes 59.5 seconds over 10,000 meters.
The next two LSU runners to finish were Richard Chautin and Roger Cooke with 69th and 107th place finishes of 31:20.1 and 32:02.0 respectively.
The remaining Tigers were Phillip Primeaux (32:47.2) in 152nd place, William Wiesler (34:50.2) in 224th place, Phillip Dempsey (34:58.8) in 229th place and Daniel Nally (35:26.8) in 241st place.
"Doody, Chautin and Cooke had good performances but we didn't have a complete performance as a team," LSU head coach Mark Elliott said. "We will look to improve going forward."
On the women's side, Charlene Lipsey was the 69th runner to finish, stopping the clock at 22:10.0 over 6k to lead the Lady Tigers.
The remaining LSU women's runners were Leigh-Ann Naccari (22:43.6) in 106th place overall, Laura Aleman (23:24.5) in 148th place, Dakota Goodman (23:28.2) in 154th place, Brea Goodman (23:29.7) in 155th place, Andria Aguilar (24:32.3) in 200th place, Christine Derbins (25:22.7) in 229th place, Michelle Mobley (26:36.3) in 268th place and Lindsay Roe (28:13.3) in 283rd place.
"On the women's side we ran pretty well as a team," Elliott said. "Charlene and Leigh-Ann ran had strong performances. I thought our entire top five ran well. The placement isn't as high as what we've had so far this season, but it's a much bigger race. Overall I was pleased."
LSU's next meet is the 2011 SEC Cross Country Championship Oct. 31 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Follow the LSU men's and women's cross country teams on Twitter @LSUTrackField and atwww.Facebook.com/LSUtrackfield.
Team Results
Men (Top 10 and LSU)
1. Oklahoma State -- 25
2. Arkansas -- 78
3. Oklahoma -- 161
4. Utah State --178
5. Weber State -- 179
6. Southern Utah -- 187
7. Oklahoma Christian -- 195
8. UTSA -- 209
9. Iowa - 220
10. East Central - 230
17. LSU - 470
Women (Top 10 and LSU)
1. Texas -- 85
2. Arkansas -- 89
3. Oklahoma State --123
4. Texas Tech -- 156
5. Weber State -- 175
6. Southern Methodist -- 202
7. Wichita State -- 215
7. Utah -- 215
9. Oklahoma -- 238
10. Southern Utah -- 302
20. LSU - 544
Individual Results
Men (Winner and LSU only)
1. Cam Levins (Southern Utah) 29:13.8; 50. Cullen Doody 30:59.5; 69. Richard Chautin 31:20.1; 107.Roger Cooke 32:02.0; 152. Philip Primeaux 32:47.2; 224. William Wiesler 34:50.2; 229. Phillip Dempsey 34:58.8; 241. Daniel Nally 35:26.8
Women (Winner and LSU only)
1.Silje Fjortoft (Southern Methodist) 19:44.2; 69. Charlene Lipsey 22:10.0; 106. Leigh-Ann Naccari22:43.6; 148. Laura Aleman 23:24.5; 154.Dakota Goodman 23:28.2; 155 Brea Goodman 23:29.7; 200.Andria Aguilar 24:32.3; 229. Christine Derbins 25:22.7; 268. Michelle Mobley 26:36.3; 283. Lindsay Roe 28:13.3