University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, September 2
Memphis, Tenn.
9 pm
University of Memphis
vs
Brooks Twilight Classic (M: 4 miles/W: 5k)
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Zitting Wins Brooks Twilight Classic Saturday Night
Sep 03, 2017 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Women place fifth, men sixth at annual season-opening race.
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. – University of Memphis senior Arnica Zitting made program history with her women's 5k victory in the 2017 Brooks Twilight Classic late Saturday night. She is the first women's runner in school history to win the annual season-opening event.
Zitting placed first in a time of 18:01.43. She helped lead the Tigers women's squad to a fifth-place team finish.
On the men's side, sophomore Matthew Kamph (14th) and senior Brock Ballard (20th) paced the Tigers to a sixth-place team performance.
The Brooks Twilight Classic is held at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
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Tigers Tidbits/Brooks Twilight Classic Highlights
- The Tigers women's fifth-place finish was the third time in the last five seasons it has logged a top-five performance at the Brooks Twilight Classic.
- The men's team finished sixth for a second-straight season. It also was the fourth time in the last five seasons the Tigers placed in the top-six (4th in 2013, 2014; 6th in 2016, 2017).
- Although she won the 5k race, Arnica Zitting previously ran a better time in the event than her 18:01.43 Saturday. Zitting posted a time of 17:58.8 and placed 13th last year. Her previous-highest finish at the Brooks Twilight Classic was ninth in 2014 as a freshman at Arkansas State.
- Sophomore Matthew Kamph improved his finish at the Brooks Twilight Classic by over 100 spots from 2016. Kamph was 14th Saturday night, and he placed 120th in the 2016 event. Kamph also bettered his time by just over 1:30. He ran a 20:43.72 Saturday and a 22:14.3 in 2016.
- Senior Megan Briley recorded her highest finish and best time in the Brooks Twilight Classic Saturday. Her previous-bests were 20th in a time of 18:56.3 as a freshman in 2014.
- Senior Lauren Wheeler also had her highest finish and best time at the event Saturday. Her previous-bests were 53rd in 2014 and 20:18.5 in 2015. She did not compete in last year's Brooks Twilight Classic.
- Sophomore Paige Sandwell and freshmen Jennifer Taylor and Hannah Pettigrew all ran in their first Brooks Twilight Classic Saturday.
- For the men's team, senior Brock Ballard had his best performance in the event Saturday. His previous-bests were a 34th-place finish in 2014 and a time of 21:12.7 in 2016.
- Junior LaForrest Church and freshman Hunter Mango Hester both ran in their first Brooks Twilight Classic.
2017 Brooks Twilight Classic (top 5 finishes count in team score)
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Women's Race (5k); Memphis Team Finish: 5th (125 points)
| Place | Name | Time |
| 1 | Arnica Zitting | 18:01.43 |
| 13 | Megan Briley | 18:38.58 |
| 14 | Paige Sandwell | 18:41.02 |
| 47 | Gabrielle Byndas | 19:45.38 |
| 50 | Lauren Wheeler | 20:00.65 |
| 54 | Jennifer Taylor | 20:09.02 |
| 56 | Hannah Pettigrew | 20:10.54 |
Men's Race (4 miles); Memphis Team Finish: 6th (167 points)
| Place | Name | Time |
| 14 | Matthew Kamph | 20:43.72 |
| 20 | Brock Ballard | 20:53.99 |
| 31 | Matthew Viveiros | 21:19.10 |
| 44 | James Durkin | 21:43.98 |
| 58 | LaForrest Church | 22:04.31 |
| 102 | Joshua Hamlet | 24:12.82 |
| 106 | Hunter Magno Hester | 26:24.78 |
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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