Alabama State University's Cross Country teams continues this season's success with a strong second place finish at the Struts Opener.

The Lady Hornets ran their way to a 2nd place finish overall scoring 47 points in their 4K race lead by Sophomore Paige Rankin who finished 2nd overall running (14:50) on the course.

The Hornet's had top 4 top-15 finishes sophomores Artrailia Lesane (15:11) and Kimberly Wedderburn (16:09) had strong races as they came across the line in 5th and 11th overall. Freshman Tatiana Etienne (16:28) placed 14th and Sophomore Santina Williams (16:39) placed 15th.

Finishes by sophomore Shantia Wilson (17:08) who placed 17th, senior Soyong Smith (17:09) who placed 18th, junior Jerrica Mahone (17:33) in 20th and Markia Bartley (18:21) in 23rd helped the Hornets capture the second place victory.

"The ladies showed me that they are strong," said head coach Ritchie Beene. "Santina Williams really stepped up this weekend to help us capture this 2nd place; I was really surprised and satisfied that things we worked on all week in practice paid off at the meet."

The men finished with 29 points only three points behind winner Jacksonville State (26). Every Hornet on the men's team had top 15 place finishes.

"The guys are continuing to improve," said Beene. "As the season progresses, I really believe that the men's team can compete for some of top spots in the conference; they just need to believe that they can do it and keep working at it but, overall all I'm impressed with the efforts from our men's program."

Top finisher Freshman Andrew Coicou (17:47) ran a strong race placing second overall. Freshman Tyree Newton (17:57) was the second Hornet among the top 15 placing fourth overall.

The rest of the Hornets finished in this order led by sophomore Brandon Coombs (18:44) in sixth, Dyrez Riberio (18:50) was seventh, Bryont Brown (19:23) was 10th, Teven Avant (19:25) was 11th and Carlos Flores (20:01) was 13th. Waynemond Bruce (21:16) rounded the field for the Hornets with a 15^th place finish.

"We will take what we have done from this meet and transfer it over to practice and our next competition," said Beene.

Both teams will be back in action Sept. 14th as they travel to Mobile, Ala., for the Azalea City Classic hosted by the University of South Alabama.

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