Senior’s Kristian Holm Jensen and Grace Moore delight on Senior Night

Jesse Dimich-Louvet, ​OwlSports Update Staff Reporter

Temple men’s and women’s cross-country and track teams used the Big 5 stage to set many personal and program records on Friday night at the Tempe Invite. UPenn, Villanova, St. Joe’s and La Salle were all on hand on senior night. 

When asked about standout performances on the day, Assistant Coach Cavender Salvadori had to pause, “For standout performers it is hard to say because we had so many standouts. That’s a great problem to have. I think overall the performances were a sign that we are doing the right things.”  

Senior standout Grace Moore won the 1500-meter with a staggering time of 4:19.28.  “On the girls side we are seeing the older ladies PR across the board using the strength they’ve built over their multiple years with us. Today we saw even in smaller fields we can run national level performances,” added Salvadori.  

Emma Gee rubbing 16:17 in her first ever 5k was another highlight of the day, finishing second in the process.  Lea Kerbiriou impressed as she continued to drop her 800-meter PR as a freshman finishing in third behind Temple’s Alanna Lally. “It is encouraging to see especially because she races so well and maturely,” Salvadori explained. 

Kristian Holm Jensen had a bittersweet farewell on senior day, winning the 5k in 14:17.  “Jensen closing his 5k in a huge come-from-behind kick to absolutely blow away the field was amazing to watch and sign that he is ready for a faster field and the 10k,” Salvadori exclaimed.  

History was also made on the freshman side with Christain Fitch running a 14:44 to become the fastest freshman in program history.  “It was just a sign that we are getting fit and starting to be able to compete and improve our racing abilities,” explained Salvadori. 

The Owls will next compete in the Quaker Invite next Friday at UPenn. 

​