Cross Country runs at Azalea City Classic

The Troy cross country team secured four top 10 finishes between the men’s and women’s team at the Azalea City Classic in Mobile on Friday. The Trojans competed against South Alabama, New Orleans, Huntingdon and Mobile in the event. 

Both sides of the team finished third out of the five teams at the meet, but Caden Blackman led the way for the men’s side with a third-place finish. Blackman finished with a time of 22:58.00 in the men’s race, which was seven kilometers. 

Just behind Blackman was Lane Watson, who claimed Troy’s other top 10 finish on the men’s side with a fifth-place finish. He clocked in at 23:13.00. 

Gavan Baxley and Ethan Newsome both logged top 20 slots, with Baxley finishing 13th and Newsome taking 18th place. Baxley ran a blazing 24:11.10, while Newsome finished in 24:34.20. 

Bennett Phillips, Pierre Boerkey, Jonas Koturenka and Andrew Bradshaw rounded out Troy’s squad. Phillips and Boerkey finished 23rd and 25th, respectively. 

On the women’s side, Makenna Calbert led the Trojans with a fourth-place spot, finishing the 6k race in 18:28.50. Arianna Elder snagged a top 10 finish as well, placing seventh after clocking in at 18:57.00. 

Lucy Turley, Abigail Carr, Aisley McMeen and Haley Wilson all finished between 10th and 20th place. Turley finished in 11th place with a time of 19:35.00, and Carr was right behind her in 13th place. Carr timed in at 19:50.60. 

Meanwhile, McMeen and Wilson took 15th and 19th place, respectively. McMeen finished in 20:20.10 while Wilson had a time of 20:45.50. 

The duo of Reece Knowlton and Giulianna Rivero rounded out the women’s side in 20th and 25th place. 

The Trojans have a week off before heading to Tuscaloosa to race in the Crimson Classic against stiff competition. Troy races next on Friday, Oct. 17 at the Harry Pritchett Running Park.