Women's Runners Third At Western Michigan

Panthers rest several key runners to prepare for next weekend's Pre-National Meet

Oct. 11, 2002

MILWAUKEE - Running without most of the team's top runners, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's cross country team finished third out of three teams at the Bronco Open, hosted by Western Michigan University. Junior Natalie Miko was the top finisher for the Panthers, completing the 5K course in 20:32 to finish 32nd.

Miko led a host of Panthers across the finish line, as freshmen Katie Slamka, Tenia Fisher and Andrea Ziebell were the next three finishers. Slamka finished in 20:46, while Fisher's time was 21:10 and Ziebell was 35th in 21:18. The fifht finisher for Milwaukee was Teresa Braunreiter, who finished 37th with a time of 21:43.

The host Broncos of Western Michigan won the team title, scoring 21 points to finish ahead of Notre Dame's "B" team, with the Panthers in third place. Meryl Marsh of Western Michigan was the race's winner, finishing in 17:51.

The Panthers will be back at full strength and running the full distance next weekend when they travel to Terre Haute, Ind., for the Pre-National Invitational. The meet is a preview of the NCAA Championships, and will include most of the top teams and individuals from across the country.