Oct. 9, 2008
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rita Jorgensen, VU cross country runner, posted the third fastest, 5k time of the season in the Southeastern Conference last weekend. The sophomore finished the Greater Louisville Classic in 17:14.11 on Oct. 4 — a personal best, the top-four, overall GLC finish and the No. 10 All-Time mark at the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville.
“Rita has been a real pleasure to work with these first two years, and she has contributed greatly to our program,” Steve Keith, VU head coach, said. “Rita is a very humble and team-oriented runner, but she also has great competitive instincts and leads by example.”
Only Jacy Kruzel and Ali Crabb of Florida have paced quicker time intervals than Jorgensen. Both Gators set their SEC-leading marks at the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind., on Oct. 3. Kruzel crossed the timeline at 17:10.00, Crabb 17:14.00.
“This past weekend Rita turned things up a notch with her 17:14 at Louisville,” said Keith, “and now she can really set her sights on some great end-of-the-season goals at the SEC and NCAA level.”
Jorgensen’s GLC time helped the ‘Dores place fifth in their meet, despite the absence of Adrienne DiRaddo, one of VU’s top-five finishers, and a fall sustained during the race by another of VU’s top-five, Amanda Scott. Kristabel Doebel-Hickok also submitted a top-20 SEC time this season with her mark at the GLC. Doebel-Hickok crossed the timeline at 17:49.24 – a personal best, the No. 15 overall finish for the race and the No. 14 mark in the SEC.
“Kristabel has had a great season so far,” Rhonda Riley, VU assistant coach, said. “She is a very consistent runner, and each week she is improving.”
Both Jorgensen and Doebel-Hickok have lead the ‘Dores in their first three meets this season, finishing first and second for Coach Keith’s squad. Rita placed first overall in the Belmont/VU opener (14:23.32) and Commodore Classic (17:57.39), while Kristabel placed third (14:40.11) and fourth (18:17.04) overall in both races. The Commodores ran a 4k race in the opener, and a 5k in the Classic.
“Rita and Kristabel are great training partners and have really helped each other improve each week,” said Riley.
The Vanderbilt runners will return to action Oct. 18 for their Pre-National meet at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind.
