by Chad Vignes, Student Assistant SID
WACO, Texas -- The LSU men’s and women’s cross country teams wrapped up their season Saturday at the NCAA South Central regional meet hosted by Baylor, as the men’s team finished in 18th place, while the women finished 21st.
Arkansas captured the regional championship on the men’s side with 47 points in the 10K race. SMU took home the women’s title in the 6K race with 43 points.
Dorian Ulrey of Arkansas won the individual title in the men’s race after he clocked a 30:24.6. On the women’s side, SMU’s Silje Fjortoft captured the individual championship with a 20:29.70.
Sophomore Cullen Doody paced the LSU men for the fifth time this season, as he clocked a 34:06.8. Doody was the Tigers’ lead runner in every meet this season. Also finishing for LSU were Ken Ehrhardt, Luke Dessauer, Frank Bohn, Sean Swanner, Kyle Hecker and Paras Shah.
“After losing our top three male runners, Cullen really stepped up and ran well this season,” LSU cross country coach Mark Elliott said. “At the beginning of the season I never thought he’d be the No.1 guy, but I’m really proud of the way he finished the year.”
On the women’s side, sophomore Laura Carleton led the Lady Tigers for the first time this year, as she set a season-best time in the 6K with a 23:15.5. Junior Lauren Ybarzabal also posted a season-best time in the 6K, as she clocked a 24:45.6.
Jenna Henssler, Amber Abbott, Amal Esmail and Jessica Deutsch also finished for the Lady Tigers.
Freshman Charlene Lipsey and senior Kayann Thompson did not compete because their track training began last week.
Men’s Results (Top 10 and LSU)
1. Arkansas, 47
2. Texas, 74
3. Lamar, 83
4. Texas A&M, 89
5. Stephen F. Austin, 159
6. McNeese State, 185
7. Baylor, 215
8. Arkansas-Little Rock, 225
8. UTSA, 225
10. Rice, 227
18. LSU, 486
Top Finishers (Winner and LSU)
1, Dorian Ulrey, Arkansas, 30:24.6. 80, Cullen Doody, 34:06.8. 93, Ken Ehrhardt, 34:30.0. 110, Luke Dessauer, 35:18.9. 115, Frank Bohn, 35:35.8. 117, Sean Swanner, 35:48.1. 123, Kyle Hecker, 36:36.6. 132, Paras Shah, 38:20.4.
Women’s Results (Top 10 and LSU)
1. SMU, 43
2. Baylor, 54
3. Arkansas, 66
4. Texas, 124
5. Rice, 172
6. Texas A&M-CC, 199
7. Houston, 208
8. Stephen F. Austin, 233
9. Texas A&M, 285
10. McNeese State, 300
21. LSU, 500
Top Finishers (Winner and LSU)
1, Silje Fjortoft, SMU, 20:29.7. 65, Laura Carleton, 23:15.5. 83, Jenna Henssler, 23:43.0. 113, Lauren Ybarzabal, 24:45.6. 128, Amber Abbott, 25:47.0. 130, Amal Esmail, 26:16.2.
