Texas A&M
Virginia Invitational
Aggie women fourth, men fifth at Virginia Invitational
Oct 16, 2009 | Track and Field
Oct. 16, 2009
Charlottesville, Va. - Christina Munoz posted a top 10 individual finish while Andrew Montes led a trio of Texas A&M senior men across the finish line during the Virginia Invitational, which featured a challenging course on a chilly afternoon at the Panorama Farm.
With Munoz leading the Aggie women by placing 10th over the 6,000-meter course in 21 minutes and eight seconds, Texas A&M totaled 117 points to place fourth in team standings among a field of six teams.
"I definitely needed a race like this and now I feel really confident heading into the Big 12 Championships," stated Munoz. "It's my last cross country season, so I might as well give it all I've got. It was another great opportunity to get better and we took advantage of it."
Villanova, ranked No. 2 in the nation, won the team title with a tally of 17 points as they claimed the top four positions while their fifth runner finishing seventh overall. Villanova's Sheila Reid won the individual title in 20:14 to set a course record.
Host Virginia, ranked No. 10, placed second with 52 points while Tennessee finished third with 69 points. Finishing behind the A&M women were Maryland (126) and Richmond (157).
Montes along with fellow seniors Joe Sauvageau and Mitch Bible all placed in the top 30 of the men's field. Montes and Sauvageau each ran 24:27 on the 8,000-meter course to place 24th and 25th while Bible clocked 24:30 in finishing 27th.
"This was great, we always run together as a team," said Montes, who had to hold off a late surge at the finish by Sauvageau. "Whether it's a practice or a race, we like to run together as a group. Having Joe push me at the end is something we are used to. I wouldn't have it any other way.
"It was a comfortable day, but I knew the hills were going to be tough. We were together for a majority of the race and I tried to pull as many guys along with me as I could. I knew Joe and I had to work together on the hills."
With a total of 155 points the Aggie men placed fifth in team scoring among a field of 10 teams. Texas A&M's total was just ahead of Tennessee's 158.
No. 15 ranked Virginia claimed the men's home victory with 30 points while No. 11 Syracuse was runner-up with 41 points. No. 24 Villanova (70) finished third while No. 26 Duke (109) placed fourth. Virginia grabbed the individual win as well with Emil Heineking covering the course in a record of 23:17.
The Texas A&M men will face a similar situation at the Big 12 Championships at the end of the month where the top four teams in the conference are nationally ranked as well.
Following Munoz in the women's race Sarah Balfour, who both ran 22:31 as they placed 32nd and 33rd overall. Kirsten Brown (48th - 23:24) rounded out the squad.
After the trio of A&M seniors in the men's race, the next two runners to figure in the team score were Kevin Burnett (24:55) and Jimmy Welin (24:58) as they placed 43rd and 47th.
The rest of the Aggie men's crew included Graham Northcutt (62nd - 25:28), C.J. Brown (79th - 25:46).
Virginia Panorama Farms Invitational RESULTS
Women Teams: 1. Villanova 17; 2. Virginia 52; 3. Tennessee 69; 4. Texas A&M 117; 5. Maryland 126; 6. Richmond 157.
Texas A&M: 10. Christina Munoz, 21:08; 22. Sarah Balfour, 22:31; 38. Kirsten Brown, 23:24.
Men Teams: 1. Virginia 30; 2. Syracuse 41; 3. Villanova 70; 4. Duke 109; 5. Texas A&M 155; 6. Tennessee 158; 7. American 168; 8. Belmont 241; 9. Richmond 272; 10. Maryland 302.
Texas A&M: 24. Andrew Montes, 24:27; 25. Joe Sauvageau, 24:27; 27. Mitch Bible, 24:30; 43. Graham Northcutt, 25:28; 69. C.J. Brown, 25:46.
Players Mentioned
