CEDARVILLE, Ohio – Running in their first 6K of the season, the Cleveland State cross country team had a strong performance at the Friendship Invitational Saturday, placing third overall as a team. The Vikings – one of 11 teams competing Saturday – finished behind only Dayton and Tiffin.
"Everyone ran another great race today, at the beginning of the season we talked about improvement and consistency, and they are definitely doing both as you can see from the results week-to-week," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "I am really pleased with everyone's time, going into the race they were concerned with the 6K length and how they would respond, but they all did a great job and ran a fantastic race. This was our first 6K of the season and we will definitely get better, and hopefully we will have better weather to work with next time out."
The Vikings were led by the trio of Tori Holt, Erin Pavick and Ashlyn Woods, who all recorded top-25 finishes. Tori Holt was CSU's top finisher, placing 12th overall with a personal-best 6K time of 23:27. Running in their first collegiate 6K, Pavick placed 17th overall (23:54), and Woods placed 24th (24:27).
This trio also recorded 6K times that rank on the All-Time Top Performances list at CSU since the 2005 season, with Tori Holt ranking fifth, Pavick ranking ninth and Woods tied for 20th.
Cleveland State's next four finishers all placed in the top-50, including Alanna Shamrock who placed 35th overall (24:58) in her first collegiate 6K. Katie Webb (43rd – 25:21) and Amelia Holt (44th – 25:26) were the next two finishers, followed by Ashley Lydic who recorded a personal-best time of 25:37 (48th).
Sophomore Amanda Kalain was the final Viking to post a personal-best 6K time Saturday, finishing the course in 27:24 to finish 79th overall. Sarah Mallow (52nd – 25:43), Jesse Stallings (57th – 25:51), Shannon Kruger (74th – 27:15), and Megan O'Keefe (92nd – 28:34) also competed for the Vikings.
Almost all of the Vikings who competed in the first race of the season (Dayton Flyer 5K Challenge) improved on their 5K splits today, while Tori Holt's 5K split of 19:27 ranks her 24th all-time on the top-performances list under Jaketic.
Cleveland State will now take a week off from competition, getting back to action on Friday, October 4 at the All-Ohio Championship. The race is set for a 2:45 p.m. start, and will once again take place at Cedarville University.
CSU Results
12. Tori Holt, 23:27
17. Erin Pavick, 23:54
24. Ashlyn Woods, 24:27
35. Alanna Shamrock, 24:58
43. Katie Webb, 25:21
44. Amelia Holt, 25:26
48. Ashley Lydic, 25:37
52. Sarah Mallow, 25:43
57. Jesse Stallings, 25:51
74. Shannon Kruger, 27:15
79. Amanda Kalain, 27:24
92. Megan O'Keefe, 28:34
