University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Commodore Classic
Okwera Paces Vols At Commodore Classic
September 15, 2012 | Track & Field
Sept. 15, 2012
NASHVILLE – Getting an early taste of the 2012 Southeastern Conference Championship course, the Tennessee cross country teams competed at Vanderbilt’s annual Commodore Classic on Saturday at Percy Warner Park in Nashville. Highlighted by newcomer Peter Okwera, the Vol harriers led all SEC teams with a third place team finish.
Coming off a first place finish at the Belmont Opener, UT totaled 121 total points, finishing ahead of all six conference squads in a field of 24 teams and 197 runners. Okwera, who placed third at the Belmont 5K, nearly won the Commodore Classic in just his second race at UT. He navigated the 8000-meter course in a time of 24 minutes, 36.49 seconds, just .34 seconds behind race champion Joseph Chebet of Western Kentucky.
Freshman Kyle Walter placed 17th overall (25:11.35) and sophomore Austin Whitelaw rounded out the Big Orange’s top three with a time of 25:26.79, to come in at 24th overall. Juniors Stephen Derlath and Jake Rainey (25:51.92) placed 37th and 41st, respectively. Derlath ran a personal best time of 25:48.18.
The Vols were 52 points ahead of the next SEC team, Georgia, who placed fourth with 173 total points. Eastern Kentucky (32 points) and Miami [Ohio] (83 points) placed first and second, respectively.
On the women’s side, the Lady Vols were once again led by freshman Alexis Panisse and tied for 12th in a loaded field of 24 teams. With No. 2 runner Amber Zimmerman not competing for the Orange & White, Panisse navigated the SEC Championship 6000-meter course in 21 minutes, 43.54 seconds to finish in 12th place in a field of 216 runners. Panisse opened her UT career with a seventh place finish at the 4K Belmont Opener two weeks ago.
Senior Kelsey Kane – who placed 12th in a personal-best time at the Belmont Opener – ran the course in 22 minutes, 29.67 seconds, finishing 35th overall and setting another personal record in her second race of the season. Freshman Chelsea Blaase finished 72nd overall (23:26.9), while her classmate Caroline Duer (23:55.62) and junior Patavia Lowery (25:04.49) rounded out the UT top five.
Meet host Vanderbilt (42 points) and SEC affiliate Ole Miss (84 points) placed first and second, respectively.
For more information about the Tennessee harriers, visit UTSports.com and follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.
MEN’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: Peter Okwera (2nd, 24:36.49), Kyle Walter (17th, 25:11.35), Austin Whitelaw (24th, 25:26.79), Stephen Derlath (37th, 25:48.18), Jake Rainey (41st, 25:51.92), J.R. Creekmore (61st, 26:11.79), Daniel Tobin (70th, 26:23. 58), Alex McCandless (26:43.57), Jeremy Dickie (27:01.45), Breon Dixon (28:28.16), Jack Little (28:42.75)
WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: Alexis Panisse (12th, 21:43.54), Kelsey Kane (35th, 22:29.67), Chelsea Blaase (72nd, 23:26.90), Caroline Duer (94th, 23:55.62), Patavia Lowery (124th, 25:04.49).
