ATLANTA, Ga (Sept. 16) . – Both the Troy State Men and Women’s Cross Country team continued their success this weekend at the Georgia State Invitational in Atlanta. Both teams finished second overall.

The men’s competition was won by GSU, who had five runners in the top ten. Liam Barton, who finished 23rd out of 170 with a time of 26:49, was Troy State’s top finisher.

Troy State placed three runners in the top 28 on the women’s side, which had 155 competitors. The women’s meet was also won by Georgia State. Lindsey Minnihan led the Lady Trojan charge with an 11th place finish and a time of 19:20. Other top finisher’s for the Trojans were Belinda Bargmann, 20th (19:41) and Malene By, 28th (19:59).

"Lindsey, Belinda, Malene and Mandi (Dyess) all ran lifetime best races," said TSU cross-country coach Bob Lambert. "When you put four ladies in the top 32 in a field of 180, you’re doing something right. Liam and Bob (Barton) really surprised everyone in the men’s race and Ben (Contratto) is quickly returning to last season’s form."

"The team dedicated their races to those who lost family members in the events of Sept. 11," said Lambert. "They had their game faces on and raced as if they were on a mission. This is by far the best we’ve ever run on the Georgia State course."

The Atlantic Sun Conference Cross-Country Tournament will be held at Georgia State on Oct. 27.

Jason Crosson continued to sit out of competition this week after passing out at the Argo Invitational in Pensacola on Sept. 1, but should be ready to compete Setp. 29 when the team travels to Auburn to compete in the Auburn Invitational.

"It’ll be good to get Jason back after sitting him out for this race. Adam Bess also ran a lifetime best, which was another pleasant surprise," Lambert said. "Doc Anderson is planning to work them (the team) pretty tough in preparation for Auburn."

The TSU Cross-Country team is off this weekend.