Sept. 7, 2001

MILWAUKEE - Abby Hurst picked up the 2001 season right where she left off in 2000.

Hurst took the first team place and third overall in leading the women's cross country team to a fourth-place finish at the Valparaiso Invitational on Friday. Hurst's time of 22:39 bettered her personal best of the 2000 season over 6K by 25 seconds.

The women's team finished fourth overall behind Western Michigan, Notre Dame and host Valparaiso. Leah Van Roy finished 30th overall and 22nd in team places with a time of 24:37. Katie Olander, Karen Brisky and freshman Christine Wampach rounded out the counters, placing 24th, 26th and 29th, respectively. Wampach, in her first collegiate race, completed the course in 25:11.

Western Michigan collected the team title, taking five of the top eight places.

Cornelius Hill made his debut in the men's race and took sixth-place honors with a time of 25:39 for 8K. Senior Pat Harrington finished in 11th place in 26:27. The men finished third overall behind Notre Dame and host Valparaiso.

Freshman Steve Saul, making his collegiate debut, placed 13th with a time of 27:00. Junior Jeremy Dunn and sophomore Andy Kivioja also counted for the Panthers, placing 20th and 28th, respectively. Freshmen Micah Hanthorn and Bryan Hassemer were not far off, placing 30th and 31st among team places.

Notre Dame walked away with the team victory, having all seven of their runners in the top 10.

The cross country teams are next in action on Sat., Sept. 22, when they take part in Al's Memorial Run through downtown Milwaukee.