KETTERING, Ohio – The Cleveland State cross country team opened the 2014 season Saturday afternoon, placing fourth at the Dayton Flyer 5K Challenge. The Vikings were paced by senior Tori Holt who placed 19th overall.
"We had a very good showing for the first race of the season, and I thought everyone ran well given the limited amount of practice we have had," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "It's always good to beat a Horizon League team, but that just means that we need to continue to work hard and improve our times. One of the things we need to focus on is closing the gaps between our runners and continuing to run as a team."
CSU finished fourth out of six teams with 122 points, placing behind Ohio State, Louisville, and Dayton. The Vikings also got an early look at Horizon League opponent Wright State, with CSU finishing 12 points ahead of the Raiders.
Along with Tori Holt, the quartet of Samantha Butterbaugh, Katie Webb, Ashlyn Woods, and Alanna Shamrock all placed for the Vikings, with all five runners finishing in the top-50. Tori Holt recorded her 11th sub-20 minute 5K placing 19th with a time of 19:58, while Butterbaugh placed 30th (20:32) in her first collegiate race.
Webb finished 33rd for the Vikings with a time of 20:49, with Woods finishing right behind her in a time of 21:07. Shamrock, CSU's final placer, finished 46th overall crossing the finish line in 21:33.
In addition to Butterbaugh, Cleveland State's other newcomers also had a strong showing in their first collegiate race, including Madison Scagnetti who finished 48th in a time of 21:44. Sierra Swigert (24:04) and Kristin McCarthy (24:12) finished in the top-70, while Emily Marshall crossed the finish line in 26:13.
"It is a totally different experience for the freshmen, so seeing them have successful races this afternoon was awesome. Samantha had a smooth run and really looked comfortable in her first race, which hopefully will continue as the season continues," Jaketic said.
Megan O'Keefe (22:37), Ashley Lydic (24:17), Amelia Holt (24:26), and Erin Pavick (24:45) also participated for the Vikings.
"We are dealing with some small early season injuries, so we aren't exactly where we would like to be, but everyone is already looking ahead to the next race and is ready to get back to work at practice this week," Jaketic said.
Cleveland State will continue the 2014 season next Saturday (Sept. 6), running in the Detroit Titan Invitational. The women's race is slated to begin at 11:15 a.m. in Northville, Mich.
Dayton Flyer 5K Challenge Results
19. Tori Holt – 19:58
30. Samantha Butterbaugh – 20:32
33. Katie Webb – 20:49
36. Ashlyn Woods – 21:07
46. Alanna Shamrock – 21:33
48. Madison Scagnetti – 21:44
57. Megan O'Keefe – 22:37
68. Sierra Swigert – 24:04
70. Kristin McCarthy – 24:12
71. Ashley Lydic – 24:17
72. Amelia Holt – 24:26
73. Erin Pavick – 24:45
81. Emily Marshall – 26:13
