WILMINGTON, Ohio – In their final tune-up before the Horizon League Championship, the Cleveland State cross country team had four runners post career-best times and two top-50 finishes in a field of almost 400 runners at the #JennaStrong Classic (Wilmington Fall Classic).
"It was a great day to run, and it was a great tune-up for the league meet," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "They all ran very relaxed and I was proud of all of their performances. I could see the determination to finish strong at the end of the race on all of their faces and I am very encouraged by that heading into the league championship. This was the largest field that we will run in this season, and for us to finish how we did was awesome. They are all excited about their performances from today, and they are now looking forward to the league meet and improving on their times once again."
The Vikings were paced by Tori Holt and Ashlyn Woods who each placed in the top-50 at Friday's race. Holt posted a career-best 5K time of 19:11 to finished 26th overall, while Woods placed 43rd in a time of 19:25. Holt's 5K time landed her ninth on the all-time top performances list at CSU, and Woods' time ranks her 24th all-time.
Erin Pavick was the next Viking to cross the finish line, placing 65th overall with a time of 19:47. Pavick's time ranks her 39th on the top performances list, and makes it the second time this season that CSU has had three runners with sub 20-minute 5K times in the same race.
Katie Webb was the final Viking to record a top-100 finish, placing 91st with a season-best time of 20:06. Amelia Holt (20:22), Jesse Stallings (21:13) and Brittany Carson (21:37) all recorded career-best marks, while Amanda Kalain (22:12) posted a season-best time.
Alanna Shamrock (20:26), Sarah Mallow (21:03), Ashley Lydic (21:04), Shannon Kruger (22:22), Megan O'Keefe (22:45) and Ashley Berlin (22:53) also competed for the Vikings.
Cleveland State will now have a week off from competition, returning to the course for the Horizon League Championship on Saturday, November 2. The 2013 Horizon League Championship will be held in Boardman, Ohio, with the women's 5K set for a 12:00 p.m. start.
CSU Results
26. Tori Holt, 19:11
43. Ashlyn Woods, 19:25
65. Erin Pavick, 19:47
91. Katie Webb, 20:06
115. Amelia Holt, 20:22
119. Alanna Shamrock, 20:26
162. Sarah Mallow, 21:03
163. Ashley Lydic, 21:04
171. Jesse Stallings, 21:13
209. Brittany Carson, 21:37
253. Amanda Kalain, 22:12
266. Shannon Kruger, 22:22
288. Megan O'Keefe, 22:45
299. Ashley Berlin, 22:53
