University of Tennessee Athletics
Blaase Named SEC Runner of the Week
September 16, 2014 | Track & Field
The award is the first ever for Blaase in her cross country career at UT.
For the second week in a row, Blaase finished in second place when she earned silver medalist honors at the Bluegrass Invitational in Lexington, Kentucky. In a field of 96 participants, including representatives from No. 19 Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and SEC rival Kentucky, Blaase obliterated her previous best time in the 5k on her way the runner-up spot. She finished the event in a time of 16:44.40 -- the best women's 5k time in the SEC so far this season.
In the week prior, Blaase also finished in second at the Powerade Invitational in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, she ran stride for stride over the 2-mile course with UTC's All-American Teghan Henderson before being narrowly held off over the final stretch. She ran that race in 10:31.35 and crossed the finish line just over a second behind Henderson.
Also earning SEC recognition this week were Auburn's Ty McCormack as Men's Runner of the Week, Mark Robertson of Ole Miss as Men's Freshman of the Week, and Tayler Tuttle of Georgia was the Women's Freshman of the Week.
Blaase and the rest of the men's and women's Tennessee cross country teams return to action on Oct. 4 at the Louisville Classic. The UT men came in second at last year's Classic, while the women were sixth.
