PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Cleveland State cross country team opened the 2017 season Saturday, participating in the Duquesne Duals. The Vikings, who had four runners finish with sub 20-minute 5K times, won four of their six dual matchups on the day.
"For the first race of the season I thought we ran very well today, I am extremely proud of the effort that everyone put into their races and if this race is any indication of the what the season will be like, I am very excited to see what we can accomplish," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "This was a tough course, and on top of that it was pouring rain before the race started so we had to focus on our plan and really execute how we wanted to."
Running in her first collegiate race, freshman Anna Brandt posted Cleveland State's fastest time on the day, finishing the 5K course in 19:05. Jessica Finley was the second Viking to cross the finish line posting a career-best 5K time of 19:23, while Karen Barrientos crossed the line in 19:34.
Samantha Butterbaugh was the final Viking to record a sub 20-minute 5K time on the day, finishing in 19:50.
Brandt finished 12th overall, while Finley (16th) and Barrientos (20th) both finished in the top-20, and Butterbaugh placed 27th.
Olivia Hammons (20:18) was the next Viking to cross the finish line, while the freshman trio of Deanna Swinerton (21:05), Samantha Meyer (21:07) and Kylie Scott (21:10) all had a good showing in their first collegiate race.
Emily Marshall and Anna Beasley finished the 5K course right behind each other, Marshall with a time of 21:56 and Beasley with a time of 22:01.
Also competing for the Vikings at the Duquesne Duals were Abbey Rojeck (22:01), Calaha Bishop (23:18), Emma McQuate (23:51), Bridget Smik (24:05), and Andrea Wardeiner (24:22).
"In the coming weeks we will work on closing the gaps between the groups of runners that we have, but overall everyone was very excited about today's results. We are all looking forward to keeping up the hard work in practice and continuing to improve week after week," Jaketic said.
Up next for the Vikings will be a Thursday evening race at Akron, as Cleveland State will participate in the Tommy Evans Invitational on Thursday, September 7. The women's 5K race is slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.
Duquesne Duals Results
Anna Brandt, 19:05
Jessica Finley, 19:23
Karen Barrientos, 19:34
Samantha Butterbaugh, 19:50
Olivia Hammons, 20:18
Deanna Swinerton, 21:05
Samantha Meyer, 21:07
Kylie Scott, 21:10
Emily Marshall, 21:56
Anna Beasley, 22:01
Abbey Rojeck, 22:01
Calah Bishop, 23:18
Emma McQuate, 23:51
Bridget Smik, 24:05
Andrea Wardeiner, 24:22