 | 2014 Greater Louisville Classic
E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park • Louisville, Ky. • Distance: 5 Kilometers
Complete Results 
| |
Team Results
| | 1. | Wisconsin | 37 | | 2. | West Virginia | 64 | | 3. | Virginia Tech | 194 | | 4. | Lipscomb | 197 | | 5. | Missouri | 202 | | |
| |
Oct. 4, 2014
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Led by three top-five finishers, the No. 16 Wisconsin women's cross country team came out strong to win the Greater Louisville Classic this morning at the E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville.
The Badgers tallied a total of 37 points, 27 points ahead of second-place finisher West Virginia (64 points). Virginia Tech (194 points). Lipscomb (197 points) and Missouri (202 points) rounded out the top-five teams in the 35-team race.
| Fast Facts | | • Sarah Disanza ran a personal-best 5K to win her second race of the year | | • The team triumph marked the Badgers' second win of the year | | • Badgers are back in action on Oct. 17 at the Wisconsin adidas Invitaitonal | |
Leading the pack for UW was sophomore Sarah Disanza, who took home the individual title for the 5-kilometer race in a time of 16 minutes, 41.92 seconds. Not far behind were juniors Molly Hanson and Emma-Lisa Murphy, who finished third and fourth, respectively. Hanson finished in 16:57.13, while Murphy was just a second behind in 16:58.56.
Senior Gabi Anzalone was 16th in 17:21.12 and redshirt freshman Colette Richter claimed 20th in 17:32.35 to propel UW to its second triumph of the year.
After her impressive win, Disanza was happy with the result.
"It was really exciting. We've all been working so hard this season and we wanted to be able to come out here and show off the depth our team has to offer," Disanza said.
Wisconsin Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne was also pleased with today's results.
"That was a big individual win for Sarah Disanza today. She ran with confidence and poise," Byrne said. "Winning the team title was also exciting with outstanding performances up from Sarah (Disanza), Emma-Lisa (Murphy), Molly (Hanson), Gabi (Anzalone), and Colette (Richter). Sarah and Emma-Lisa took control of the race after 2k and looked very comfortable out front."
Sophomore Sarah Heinemann placed 35th with a time of 17:45.87, senior Liga Blyholder was 54th with a time of 18:01.18, and junior Grace Meurer claimed 74th with a time of 18:11.93.
Byrne notes that he believes the team has been learning some key things that will be important for upcoming meets.
"Our women are learning quickly how to run together as a team and that is exciting for the bigger meets ahead," Byrne said. "At the end of the day, cross country is all about the team score and having a tight pack. This is exciting as we head into Adidas and Big Tens."
With the Big Ten meet less than a month away, Byrne is excited with how his team looks.
"We're definitely in a good spot right now and must keep everything into perspective as it is still early October, but a win is awesome and a great confidence boost for our women right now," Byrne noted.
The Badgers will attempt to continue their success in two weeks when they host the Wisconsin adidas Invitational at the Zimmer Championship Course in Madison.
