Michigan State University
Spartan Invitational
Cross Country Runners Finish in Top Spots At Spartan Invitational
9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Sept. 19, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Spartan runners took several top spots at the Spartan Invitational on Friday (Sept. 19) at Forest Akers East Golf Course. The women's race had five Spartans finish in the top seven spots.
Michigan State's Michelle Carson (Sr., Winnipeg, Manitoba) finished as the top runner in the women's 6K race with a time of 20:53. It was Carson's second consecutive win at the Spartan Invitational. Jamie Krzyminski (Sr., Corunna, Mich.) finished second in 20:57, Sarah Pepera (Sr., Ortonville, Mich.) finished third in 21:26, Natalie Stein (Jr., Noth Hollywood, Calif) finished fifth in 21:37 and Katie Anderson (Jr., Marquette, Mich.) finished seventh in 21:48.
"Jamie and I used each other and helped each other a lot," said Carson. "We ran harder at the beginning than we planned but it was a good start for the beginning of the season." Other Spartans who competed in the women's race include: Cindy Durocher (Sr., Parry Sound, Ont.), who finished 15th in 22:12, Aimee Keenan (Jr., Bellmont, Mich.), who finished 17th in 22:17, Brittany Ballard (Soph., Midland, Mich.), who finished 19th in 22:26, Michelle Rafferty (Soph., Carmel, Ind.), who finished 32nd at 23:02 and Shannon Rademacher (Fr., Houston, Tex.), who finished 43rd at 23:22.
The top runner for the Spartans in the men's 8K race was Jason Mueller (Sr., Grandledge, Mich.), who finished in fifth place in 24:55. Other Spartan men who competed include: freshman Matt Bartlebaugh finished in 20th place in 25:31, Jamie Johnson (Jr., Eaton Rapids, Mich.), who finished in 22nd place in 25:31, Jeff Mulder (Sr., Haslett, Mich.), who finished in 29th place in 25:42, freshman Ryan Newsted, who finished in 31st place in 25:49, Kevin Yokom (Soph., Kentwood, Mich.), who finished in 38th place in 25:58, Nick Oertel (Fr., Goodrich, Mich.), who finished in 44th place in 26:08, Nathan Egger (Soph., Mason, Mich.), who finished in 45th place in 26:11 and Justin Zanotti (Fr., Chesterfield, Mich.), who finished in 49th place in 26:16.
"The women ran pretty well, but we wanted to do a little more team running," stated cross country head coach Jim Stintzi. "We still have a lot of work to do to be a real elite team, but this was a good opener for us. On the guys' side, I was actually really pleased for the most part but there is a lot of work needed there, too."
Complete results will be available later this evening at www.playmakers.com.
Michigan State's women's cross country team will continue the 2003 season when it competes at the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota next Saturday, Sept. 27. The men's team returns to action Oct. 4 at the Paul Short Invitational hosted by Lehigh University.
Players Mentioned
