Jacksons, Pieri, Fakler go low in Ragin' Cajuns Invitational

LAFAYETTE, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana freshman Kwame Jackson ran four miles in 21 minutes, 46.1 seconds — the second-fastest time in school history — and placed third out of 40 runners Friday evening in the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational cross country meet at Acadiana Park.

Teammate Matt Pieri was fourth in 22:04.4 with the fifth-fastest time in XU history.

Xavier University of Louisiana's 2011 women's cross country team
      From left: Anna D'Souza, Hali Yarmuth, Catherine Fakler, Darian Towns, 
Donye Coleman, Zahri Jackson, Paige Rochelle, Ashley Taylor.
(click on photo to enlarge)

Freshman Zahri Jackson, Kwame's sister, placed fifth out of 41 in the 5,000-meter race in 20:04.6, the seventh-best time in XU history. Freshman teammate Catherine Fakler was eighth in 20:20.2 with the 12th-fastest time in school history.

Xavier's women finished second, and the men placed third in team scoring. Nicholls State won the women's title, and Louisiana-Lafayette won the men's division.

Individual winners were Ingvild Vedde of Nicholls (19:12.8) in the women's race and the Ragin' Cajuns' Zachary France (21:36.4) in the men's.

It was the third competition of the season for Xavier, which will run next Saturday morning in the LSU Invitational at Baton Rouge, La.

Results:  Men    Women

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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