HOOVER, Ala. – Samford Cross Country opened its 2013 season Saturday morning at Veterans Park in Hoover taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Samford’s men defeated Alabama in the 5k course but the Crimson Tide women earned the edge in the two-mile race over the Bulldogs.

Samford turned in the top three finishes in the men’s race, with senior Layton Dorsett leading the pack in 16:27.13.  Sophomores Adam Jones and Luke Weishaar were both less than one second behind Dorsett, finishing second (16:27.29) and third (16:27.32), respectively.  Also competing for Samford was Brandon Hazouri (12th, 16:50.97), James Graham (13th, 17:01.59) and Lucas Sieb (15th, 17:13.70).

On the women’s side, sophomore Rachel Roberts was the Bulldogs’ highest finisher, placing ninth in 12:04.66.  Frances Bernard was close behind in 10th (12:04.86) while Marie Demedicis (12th, 12:16.13) and Rachel Wooten (13th, 12:18.82) finished in a pack just over ten seconds later.  Chelsea Treadway (15th, 12:33.70), Anna Laura Irvine (16th, 12:36.41) and Margaret Grogan (18th, 12:43.15) rounded out the rest of the Bulldogs’ competitors.

Cross country continues its season in two weeks as they head to Nashville, Tenn., for the Commodore Classic on Saturday, Sept. 14.