From Staff Reports

MONTEVALLO – The  University of Montevallo men’s and women’s cross country teams opened the season with a first-place finish in their respective races on their home course Aug. 31 in the Early Bird Classic.

The event concluded Sept. 1 with a series of high school and middle school races, which brought more than 1,000 athletes and spectators to the Montevallo campus.

“Everything ran according to plan,” said Montevallo coach Tommy Barksdale. “It was a great event.”

The Montevallo women’s cross country team, the defending Peach Belt Conference champions, featured four finishers in the top five spots in the women’s collegiate 5K race.

Kaley Glover led the Falcons as she finished second overall with a time of 19:29.20 in the women’s race. In-Mi Matsunaga finished one spot behind  Glover with her time of 19:52.76.

Haley Evans finished fourth overall with her time of 20:09.78. Lauren Recchia rounded out the top five as she finished with a time of 20:19.69.

Jill Kleist finished 10^th overall with her time of 22:31.01, while Jessi Clark came in 11^th overall with her time of 22:48.33.

Two members of the Montevallo men’s cross country team finished in the top five in the men’s race.

Zach Walsh led the Falcons as he finished third overall with his time of 16:26.85. Aaron Bush finished one spot behind Walsh with his time of 16:56.84.

David Smith came in seventh overall with his time of 17:13.83, while Chris Pirrello came in eighth overall with his time of 17:14.98.

Nick Fasanello finished 10^th overall with his time of 17:37.41. Jordan Poche came in 11^th overall with his time of 17:40.10.

“We’re looking to build off a great start on our home course,” Barksdale said.

Mountain Brook swept the large school boys’ and girls’ 5K races in the high school division. Sipsey Valley captured the small school boys’ 5K race, while Holy Spirit Catholic claimed the small school girls’ 5K race.

Oak Mountain won the middle school boys’ 3K race, while Liberty Park claimed the middle school girls’ title in the 3K race.