ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Cleveland State cross country team continued its most successful season in program history Saturday, placing fourth at the Horizon League Championship. As a team, the Vikings collected 122 points, with a pair of top-10 individual finishes.
Cleveland State's fourth place finish is tied for the highest finish in program history, as the Vikings also posted a fourth place finish during the 2011 season.
"I am so proud of how well they competed today, we have been racing so well this season and we definitely continued that today," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "We have had our sights set on the Horizon League Championship throughout the season and I'm so happy with how well everyone finished today. The weather conditions weren't ideal, but this was a great course to run on and it always special when you are competing in a league championship atmosphere."
The Vikings were paced once again by the duo of Anna Brandt and Karen Barrientos, who both picked up top-10 finishes to earn All-Horizon League honors.
Brandt was Cleveland State's top finisher, placing seventh overall with a time of 22:52. With her seventh place finish, Brandt was named First Team All-Horizon League, while she was also named the Freshman of the Year as the top true freshman finisher at the league championship.
Barrientos finished eighth overall, right behind Brandt, with a time of 22:53 to earn Second Team All-Horizon League accolades.
Both times from Brandt and Barrientos rank in the top-15 on the CSU Top Performances List.
Jessica Finley was the next Viking to cross the finish line, placing 19th overall with a 6K time of 23:24. Samantha Butterbaugh and Olivia Hammons were the final two scorers for Cleveland State, Butterbaugh placing 40th (24:05) and Hammons placing 52nd (24:27).
Cleveland State will now have a week off from competition, returning to action at the Great Lakes Regional on Friday, November 10.
2017 #HLXC Championship Results
7. Anna Brandt, 22.52
8. Karen Barrientos, 22.53
19. Jessica Finley, 23:24
40. Samantha Butterbaugh, 24:05
52. Olivia Hammons, 24:27
61. Kylie Scott, 24:48
75. Samantha Meyer, 25:23
85. Abbey Rojeck, 25:47
91. Emily Marshall, 26:14
93. Calah Bishop, 26:15
97. Deanna Swinerton, 26:43
100. Anna Beasley, 27:13
102. Bridget Smik, 27:21
