Sept. 24, 2011
ATHENS, Ohio - Behind strong races from senior Allison Craine and freshman Kendra Kezur, the Cleveland State cross country team had a strong showing at the Ohio University Invitational Saturday afternoon. The race was the fourth of the season for the Vikings, and the first 6k race of the year.
"It was an absolutely beautiful day to run and we definitely capitalized on that," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "The course was a little sloppy because of all the rain recently, but this was a fast course and many of them were able to record some of their best 5k times, despite the course actually being a 6k course."
Craine paced the Vikings for the fourth race this season, as she placed fifth overall with a 6k time of 23:13. Her time marked the third fastest 6k time since 2005 when Jaketic became head coach of the Vikings. Craine also had a 5k split of 19:24, which was 14 seconds better than her time a year ago at the same race.
Kezur was the second Viking to cross the finish line, as she placed 11th overall with a 6k time of 23:59. She also posted a top 6k time for the Vikings, as her time marked the eighth fastest since 2005. Kezur was one of three CSU runners who posted a season-best 5k split today, as she came to the 5k marker in 19:53.
"Everyone was working hard throughout the week and it definitely showed today," Jaketic said. "Allison and Kendra, who both ran terrific races today, were in the lead pack at the mile mark which was awesome to see."
Kelly Zaleski and Tori Holt were the other Vikings to record season-best 5k times, as Zaleski passed the marker in 20:01 and Holt recorded a 20:30 split. Overall, Zaleski placed 14th with a 6k time of 24:13, while Holt finished right behind her in 17th with a time of 24:38.
CSU had two additional runners place in the top-30, as Katie Webb placed 23rd overall with a time of 25:04 (20:33 5k split) and Kari Haywood finished 29th in 25:43 (21:28 5k split).
"Next week we will be at the All-Ohio Championship, which is held at the same course we were at two weeks ago, so we are looking forward to improving our times on the course," Jaketic said.
The All-Ohio Championship will take place on Friday, September 30 in Cedarville, Ohio. The race is set to begin at 2:45 p.m.
CSU Results
5. Allison Craine, 23:13
11. Kendra Kezur, 23:59
14. Kelly Zaleski, 24:13
17. Tori Holt, 24:38
23. Katie Webb, 25:04
29. Kari Haywood, 25:43
31. Angela Kirila, 26:03 (21:36 5k split)
34. Brittany Elmlinger, 26:24 (21:52 5k split)
35. Rebekah Mills, 26:36 (21:56 5k split)
39. Andria Bazilevich, 28:07 (23:12 5k split)
41. Rachel Niemi, 28:18 (23:16 5k split)
45. Melissa Boyes, 29:11 (24:02 5k split)
46. Ashley Berlin, 29:47 (24:32 5k split)
