Sept. 18, 2010

Contact: Greg Murphy

CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The Cleveland State cross country team continued its early season slate by running in the Friendship Invitational on Saturday morning at the Elvin R. King Cross Country Course. The Vikings placed eighth of 12 teams with 165 points, just four points behind seventh place Cumberlands.

"I was very pleased with how we ran as a team today and the times we posted," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "The times may not be as good as we put up last weekend, but it was warmer out today and the course was a little bit slower and that makes a difference.

"Everyone has been working very hard to improve this year and I think we are continuing to see the results. I worked them hard last week and will do the same this week in practice as we continue to push hard and improve. The girls are really looking forward to coming back here in two weeks for the All-Ohio Championships and want to improve their times."

Junior Allison Craine was CSU's top finisher for the third time in as many events this year, running a 19:31 to place 15th overall. Junior Brittany Elmlinger was close behind, placing 23rd in 19:39, while junior Kelly Zaleski was 37th in 20:12 and junior Kari Haywood 42nd in 20:29.

"The top four ran really well and were together when they passed the mile marker," Jaketic said. "And that has not happened in the last five or six years when they run together for the first mile. Everyone is working together and they are all feeding off each other on the course."

Junior Andria Bazilevich was CSU's fifth place, running a 20:44 to finish 52nd.

The Vikings will be back in action next Saturday (Sept. 25) when CSU competes at the OU Invitational.

CSU RESULTS
15. Allison Craine, 19:31
23. Brittany Elmlinger, 19:39
37. Kelly Zaleski, 20:12
42. Kari Haywood, 20:29
52. Andria Bazilevich, 20:44
54. Jordan Hoile, 20:48
105. Rachel Niemi, 22:36
116. Melissa Boyes, 23:08
120. Ashley Berlin, 23:18