CEDARVILLE, Ohio – The Cleveland State cross country team competed at the Friendship Invitational Saturday morning, with Karen Barrientos pacing the Vikings with a fifth place individual finish – the highest individual finish ever for the Vikings at the Friendship Invitational.
"This was another great race for us, everyone ran really well, and we had some great weather to run in today," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "We have been working on consistency and improvement, and that has certainly been evident through the first three races of the season. Karen had an outstanding race today and really helped pace the team, and it was so exciting to see her finish in the top-five. I'm continually impressed with how well the team is doing this season, and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish."
Barrientos crossed the finish line in a time of 18:41 – the second fastest time in program history. The 18:41 also makes Barrientos just the third Viking all-time to post a sub 19-minute mark.
The Vikings had two additional top-25 finishers, as Ashlyn Woods finished 21st in a time of 19:35 and Olivia Hammons placed 23rd with a personal-best time of 19:38. Hammons' time of 19:38 marks the first sub 20-minute 5K of her collegiate career.
The trio of Barrientos, Woods and Hammons has now been Cleveland State's top-three finishers in all three races this season.
The next group of finishers for the Vikings were Samantha Butterbaugh (41st – 20:16), Jessica Finley (52nd – 20:35) and Alanna Shamrock (57th – 20:42). Emily Marshall (74th – 21:42) and Anna Beasley (84th – 22:03) were the next two Vikings to cross the finish line, while Emma McQuate placed 93rd overall in a personal-best time of 22:57.
Bridget Smik (94th – 23:00) and Andrea Wardeiner (103rd – 24:34) also competed for the Vikings.
Cleveland State will continue the 2016 season next weekend, participating in the LHU Invitational on Saturday, September 24. This will mark the first 6K race of the season for the Vikings.
Friendship Invitational Results
5. Karen Barrientos, 18:41
21. Ashlyn Woods, 19:35
23. Olivia Hammons, 19:38
41. Samantha Butterbaugh, 20:16
52. Jessica Finley, 20:35
57. Alanna Shamrock, 20:42
74. Emily Marshall, 21:42
84. Anna Beasley, 22:03
93. Emma McQuate, 22:57
94. Bridget Smik, 23:00
103. Andrea Wardeiner, 24:34