MOBILE, Ala. – Freshman McKenzie Carney (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North HS) and sophomore Karyssa Tourelle-Fallon (Navarre, Fla./Navarre HS) each posted top three finishes as the West Florida women’s cross country competes at the University of South Alabama Invitational on Saturday.  Carney finished third in the 1500 and Tourelle-Fallon was second in the 5000 to highlight a successful day.

“We were pleased with two top three finishes in this meet,” said head coach John Bergen.  “The 5000 meter run was at 3:30 p.m., the hottest part of the day, so this was a race against competitors not a race against the clock.  Karyssa ran a real smart race, sitting about fourth or fifth for most of the race, and closed with a strong final 600 meters to pass South Alabama’s top runner and nearly caught Troy’s Paulson at the finish.”  Morgan Paulson was the overall winner in 19:31.38, with Tourelle-Fallon just behind in 19:32.40 for second.

Freshman Ruth Ashley (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lyman HS) finished sixth overall in 20:02, while sophomore Elizabeth Wiese (Mount St. Mary, N.Y./Pensacola JC) raced to a 10th place finish.

“I thought Ruth and Elizabeth raced hard today, and they stayed with the leaders early on to give themselves a chance at a top spot,” said Bergen.  “The early fast pace took away their shot at a PR today, but it allowed them to race competitively for most of the race.  Our final race next week has the 5000 meters in the evening and should set up nice for Ruth and Elizabeth to run their best races.”

In the 1500 meter race, Carney posted the Argos’ fastest time of the season.  The freshman took home third place with a personal best of 4:56.37, while Magrina Chepkoech of South Alabama won the event in 4:49.18.  Freshman Renea Porsch (Land O' Lakes, Fla./Land O' Lakes HS) finished 12th and sophomore Sabrina Seignemartin (Navarre, Fla./Navarre HS) was 17th.

“McKenzie and Renea both ran strong races from start to finish,” said Bergen.  “Their races were very competitive and they both ran about five seconds faster than their previous 1500 meter race.”

Both Carney and Porsch also raced in the 800 meter run.  Carney finished fifth overall of the 19 runners in a time of 2:24.72, while Porsch was 13th at 2:33.85.  Melanie Gilbert of Southern University was the 800 meter winner in a time of 2:16.34.

Seignemartin also competed in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:14.44.  She was scheduled to compete in the steeplechase, but that event was canceled three days prior to the meet.  Seignemartin raced in the 1500 and 400 hurdles to stay ready for the steeplechase at UWF’s next meet.

The Argonauts will finish the spring season at Auburn’s War Eagle Invitational on April 15-16, where they will face top NCAA Division I competition.  For information on all UWF Athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.

#ARGOS#

Women 800 Meter Run Finals
1 Gilbert, Melanie Southern                2:16.34
2 Blackmon, Brittany SE Louisiana          2:22.12
3 Chepkoech, Magrina South Alabama         2:22.81
4 Curry, Whitney SE Louisiana              2:24.02
5 Carney, McKenzie West Florida            2:24.72
6 Pinkston, Shariece Southern              2:26.60
7 Leatherwood, Shaquela Stillman           2:27.12
8 Manogue, Charlotte Tulane                2:28.01
9 Ramirez, Yazmin Xavier-Louisiana         2:29.16
10 Knoblach, Jenna Loyola-New Orleans      2:31.92
11 Toups, Lindsey SE Louisiana             2:31.96
12 Fitzhenry, Heather SE Louisiana         2:32.59
13 Porsch, Renea West Florida              2:33.85
14 Burst, Bethany SE Louisiana             2:35.00
15 Wilson, Lakeitha Stillman               2:38.25
16 Suplee, Kaitlin SE Louisiana            2:40.65
17 Savage, Amanda Tulane                   2:41.70
18 Curtis, Tamara Troy                     2:55.41
19 Upshaw, Jessica Troy                    3:04.74

Women 1500 Meter Run Finals
1 Chepkoech, Magrina South Alabama         4:49.18
2 Curry, Whitney SE Louisiana              4:49.49
3 Carney, McKenzie West Florida            4:56.37
4 Turlington, Callie Tulane                4:56.38
5 Crabtree, Katherine Tulane               5:00.77
6 Fitzhenry, Heather SE Louisiana          5:03.23
7 Aguillard, Emmi Tulane                   5:04.96
8 Westmoreland, Brittany South Alabama     5:07.84
9 Blackmon, Brittany SE Louisiana          5:08.83
10 Burst, Bethany SE Louisiana             5:10.01
11 Arceneaux, Aimee Tulane                 5:11.55
12 Porsch, Renea West Florida              5:12.77
13 Toups, Lindsey SE Louisiana             5:21.29
14 Coleman, Donye' Xavier-Louisiana        5:28.97
15 Abell, Tavie Tulane                     5:34.37
16 Suplee, Kaitlin SE Louisiana            5:34.59
17 Seignemartin, Sabrina West Florida      5:40.85

Women 5000 Meter Run Finals
1 Paulson, Morgan Troy                    19:31.38
2 Tourelle-Fallon, Karyssa West Florida   19:32.40
3 Westmoreland, Brittany South Alabama    19:35.72
4 Righeimer, Vanessa Loyola-New Orleans   19:50.14
5 Paulson, Allison Troy                   19:56.10
6 Ashley, Ruth West Florida               20:02.17
7 Davies, Haley Troy                      20:30.10
8 McAfee, Emily SE Louisiana              20:33.68
9 D'Souza, Anna Xavier-Louisiana          21:17.86
10 Wiese, Elizabeth West Florida          21:40.27
11 Campbell, Cassie Tulane                21:59.16
12 Harris, Kendall Troy                   22:40.43

Women 400 Meter Hurdles Finals
1 St. Etienne, Candice Tulane              1:02.46
2 Anderson, Maya Southern                  1:03.63
3 Schwartz, Lindsay South Alabama          1:05.63
4 Taylor, Ashley Xavier-Louisiana          1:06.23
5 Doucett, Janessa Southern                1:09.08
6 Rush, Lachell Southern                   1:13.49
7 Seignemartin, Sabrina West Florida       1:14.44