Sept. 5, 2009

Complete Results in PDF Format

Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State cross country team scored 132 points and placed fifth of eight teams at the season opening Bill Sudeck Classic on Saturday morning at Valleeview Farms.

"I am excited to see that we posted some great times this early in the season," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "Our goal is to close the gap between our first and fifth runners and we accomplished that today, but I think we can cut even more time off.

"This team wasn't really happy and is going to continue to work hard and improve their results. We want to continue to run together as a team and feed off each other on the course."

Sophomore Brittany Elmlinger was CSU's top finisher, placing 15th in 20:29. She knocked more than 30 seconds off her time from the same event last season.

Sophomore Kelly Zaleski was even better, chipping away more than 50 seconds from last year's event to place 20th in 21:00.

"Brittany and Kelly ran together all day and did a good job of building on each other," Jaketic said. "It's that kind of teamwork that we have been preaching each day in practice."

Sophomore Allison Craine, who was running her first competitive race since November of 2007, placed 28th in 21:20. She missed all of last season with a stress fracture in her leg.

"I thought Allison competed really well today," Jaketic said. "She hasn't competed in an actual race in almost two years and just needs to get back into racing mode. She will be fine as the season goes on."

Rounding out the CSU contingent were Andria Bazilevich, who placed 39th in 21:52, Rachel Niemi, who was 55th in 22:22, and Jordan Hoile, who finished 70th in 23:32.

For Niemi, it was her first career cross country race.

The Vikings will be back in action at the Mel Brodt Invitational next Saturday (Sept. 12) at 2:00 p.m.