There may be no substitute for veteran experience in the realm of sports competition, but a group of young Sam Houston State men and women’s cross country runners proved the value of youthful enthusiasm Friday by taking first place in their season opener at McNeese State.
Senior Allison Ferries, and freshmen Molly Farrell, Pernilla Norberg, and Amanda Warren took first place at the relay event with a time of 38:56, followed by McNeese State with a time of 41:27 and Southeastern Louisiana at 42.08.
“I was very pleased with the way they ran,” Sam Houston State distance coach Jessie Parker said. “Allison ran very well; she is very fit and probably one of the top runners in the conference right now. Molly, who is a freshman, did what she was supposed to and I think she will have a very good career here at Sam Houston State.”
The men’s team also took first place at the event as seniors Dustin Joubert, and Keith Edmond, and freshmen Mark Amann and Julius Michael ran 31:42, followed by McNeese state at 32:02 and Southeastern Louisiana at 32:55.
“We have a very young group, both on the men and women’s teams. Right now our goal is just to go out and get some experience and compete,” Parker said.