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Cross Country to Run at Horizon League Championship

Cross Country to Run at Horizon League Championship
Posted: Oct 27, 2008

Oct. 27, 2008

Contact: Greg Murphy

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THE STARTING LINE: Following two weekends off, Cleveland State returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 1, when the Vikings travel to Green Bay, Wis., to compete in the 2008 Horizon League Championship. The event will begin at 12:00 p.m. at Cofrin Memorial Arboretum Trails.

LAST TIME OUT: Cleveland State placed seventh of 12 teams at the Falcon Invitational on Oct. 18. It marked the first 6-kilometer race of the season for the Vikings as Colleen Conway was CSU's top finisher for the sixth straight race, claiming 34th in 23:58. Brittany Elmlinger was 40th in 24:14, while Andria Bazilevich finished 60th in 24:50.

THE HEAD COACH: Now in his fourth season at the helm of the cross country program, Joe Jaketic has continued to make steady progress in building the team. Last season, Jaketic guided the squad to a ninth place finish at the Horizon League Championships which came on the heels of an eighth place finish in 2006. It marked the first time since the 1996-97 MCC Championships that CSU finished ahead of a league foe in back-to-back seasons.

LAST YEAR AT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS: CSU continued its steady climb in the Horizon League by placing ninth of 10 teams at the league championships in Valparaiso, Ind. It marked the second straight season that the Vikings placed ahead of another school at the championships. Allison Craine led CSU with a 19th place showing in 19:51, while Colleen Conway ran a 20:51 to finish 41st.

SHE DOES IT HER WAY: Junior Colleen Conway has had quite a season, finishing as CSU's top runner in each of the last six races after being the Vikings second finisher in the first event of the season. Prior to Friday's (Oct. 10) All-Ohio Championship, Conway has bettered her personal-best time four times this season, including a career-best time of 19:12 at the Ohio Invitational on Sept. 27.

DO THEY NEED PASSPORTS?: The Vikings will be in unfamiliar territory this weekend, traveling outside of Ohio for the first time this season. After opening the season with seven consecutive events in Ohio, CSU's final two races will be contested outside of the state. It begins this weekend with the league championship in Green Bay, Wis., and is followed by the Great Lakes Regional in West Lafayette, Ind., on Nov. 15.

NEW KIDS ON THE COURSE: Injuries to several key upperclassmen have forced head coach Joe Jaketic to use freshman and the newcomers have responded well all season. Brittany Elmlinger has been CSU's second runner in the last six races after recording the team's top time at the season opening event. In addition, Andria Bazilevich and Kelly Zaleski have consistently been CSU's third and fourth scorers this season.

UP NEXT: The Vikings will conclude the 2008 season by competing at the Great Lakes Regional Championship in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday, Nov. 15. The race will begin at 11:00 a.m.