CEDARVILLE, Ohio – The Cleveland State cross country team continued the 2015 season Saturday afternoon, competing in the 25th Annual Friendship Invitational. As a team, the Vikings finished seventh out of 12 teams with 220 points, paced by two sub 20-minute 5K times.
"I was looking forward to seeing how we would match up against the other Horizon League schools that were competing today, and overall I was very pleased with our performance this early in the season," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "Some of our runners were battling with sickness, so it was a tougher race for them today, but they battled through and did their best. The team was excited about today's results, but they all know that they can do better and we will continue to work hard in practice and keep improving our times week-after-week."
Ashlyn Woods was Cleveland State's top finisher Saturday, placing 17th overall with a time of 19:16. Samantha Butterbaugh posted CSU's other sub 20-minute 5K time, finishing 38th with a time of 19:42. This marks the second time this season that Cleveland State has had at least two runners with sub 20-minute 5K times.
Woods' time of 19:16 is the 23rd fastest 5K time at Cleveland State – her 10th top-50 5K time.
Freshman Marissa Sell once again improved her 5K time, bettering her career-best with a time of 20:23. Megan O'Keefe and Ashley Lydic were the next Vikings to cross the finish line, O'Keefe placing 78th overall with a time of 21:18 and Lydic finishing 84th overall with a time of 21:31.
Also competing for Cleveland State were Emily Marshall (22:13), Kristin McCarthy (22:33), and Sarah Mallow (22:50).
The Vikings will return to the course next Saturday (September 26) at the Lock Haven Invitational in Lock Haven, Pa.
Cleveland State Results
17. Ashlyn Woods, 19:16
38. Samantha Butterbaugh, 19:42
57. Marissa Sell, 20:23
78. Megan O'Keefe, 21:18
84. Ashley Lydic, 21:31
97. Emily Marshall, 22:13
102. Kristin McCarthy, 22:33
106. Sarah Mallow, 22:50
