Sept. 24, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Lake Superior State women's cross country team finished 14th among 24 Division II and III teams, while the Laker men placed 22nd among 43 teams at the Roy Griak Open hosted Saturday by the University of Minnesota. The meet, named after the former Golden Gopher coach, is the largest collegiate cross country meet in the nation, drawing nearly 3,000 competitors.

Scott Hosie placed 86th in 27:20 to lead the Laker men. Ben Tarbutton was 87th in 27:22, followed by Chris Olds, who was 130th in 27:58.

Rounding out LSSU's top seven were Emory Nelkie, who was 137th in 28:02, Tom Thornton, who was 140th in 28:05, Matt Merian, who was 167th in 28:23, and Charlie Johnson, who was 182nd in 28:40.

Brooke Brenner was 52nd in 24:24 to lead the LSSU women. Mandi DeBlock finished 62nd in 24:36.

The Lakers' top seven also included Stephanie Riedel, who was 84th in 24:58, Michelle Ballance, who was 91st in 25:08, Charlotte Folkersma, who was 107th in 25:41, Christina Etapa, who was 114th in 26:03, and Kathryn Harringer, who was 139th in 27:16.

"Both teams ran smart races," said LSSU first-year coach Steve Eles. "We were cautious early on because of the size of the packs and the conditions (rain and high winds), which were far from ideal. We moved through the teams as the race progressed.

"We are looking to take both the men's and women's programs to the next level, and it was important for the team to compete in a meet of that size and nature, so they can see what the best teams in the country do. We are looking for big things in the future, and hopefully this meet will provide our athletes with the drive and motivation to race and compete at higher levels."