September 7, 2003

Release: Upon Receipt

Johnson, Sharp Lead Furman to Eye Opener Invitational Titles

Spartanburg, South Carolina -- Sophomore Tyler Johnson and junior Whitney Sharp each claimed first place finishes to lead Furman to the men's and women's titles at the Eye Opener Invitational cross country meet Saturday at the Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg.

Johnson, a native of Knoxville. Tenn., completed the 8K course in 26:17.13 to edge teammate Kevin Crosby for individual honors. Furman's Eric Albrecht (8th), Mitchell Gober (9th) and Sam Robinson (10th) also grabbed top ten finishes for the Paladins in their opening race of the season.

The Paladins grabbed first with 30 points, whileMars Hill finished second in the 11-team field withh 33 points.

Sharp, a graduate of Roswell High in Roswell, Ga., posted a time of 19:41.26 to pace the field in the women's 5K run. Molly Mungovan and Carly Smith rounded out the top three as the Lady Paladins placed eight runners among the top nine finishers.

The Lady Paladins took first with 16 points. Mars Hill finished second and Presbyterian placed third in the women's event.

Furman will compete in the Davidson Invitational next weekend in Davidson, N.C.

Furman Results

Men's 8K
1. Tyler Johnson 26:17.13
2. Kevin Crosby 26:20.07
8. Eric Albrecht
9. Mitch Gober
10. Sam Robinson
19. Matt Gooch
23. Jamie Bach
26. Brennon Pratt
28. Andrew Mullen
46. Hunter Hicklin

Wome's 5K
1. Whitney Sharp 19:41.26
2. Molly Mungovan 19:47.28
3. Carly Smith
4. Katie Poole
6. Tessa Cook
7. Megan Isaacs
8. Brittany Thompson
9. Sarah Grivas
13. Sarah Johnson
14. Suzanna Bailey
20. Rebecca Singleton
30. Jessie Stackhouse
42. Jill Lucas
45. Guinn Garrett
50. Kelsey Jones