Nov. 1, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Led by sophomore Stephanie Gammon, the UAB cross country team finished fourth at the 2008 Conference USA Cross Country Championship.

Gammon crossed the finish line in a time of 17:51, which was good for 15th place. Gammon has finished first for the Blazers in every meet this season. Freshman Sandra Lundberg followed right behind, setting a new personal record in 18:10 and finishing 16th. SMU's Silije Fjortoft took the individual title in a time of 16:46.

"We ran well," said head coach Ray Stanfield. "This conference is tough. There are some really good, nationally ranked teams in this league."

SMU also took the team title with a total of 40 points. Rice finished second (50) followed by Tulsa (77) in third. The Blazers recorded 116 points for a fourth-place finish.

Also included in the scoring for the Blazers was freshman Rhiannon Johns, who recorded a personal-best of 18:24, which was good for 24th place. Junior Kristina Olsen finished 27th (18:31) and junior Kendel Hood set a personal best of 18:43 and finished 34th.

"Sandra, Rhiannon and Kendel were good today," said Stanfield. "This team would have beaten our 2006 championship team. It's just such a tough conference this year."

Also running for the Blazers, but not included in the scoring were freshmen Katie Jorgensen (19:42) and Kristina Vaughn (19:48).

The team takes next weekend off as they prepare for the NCAA South Regional Championship on Nov. 15 in Knoxville, Tenn.