Friday, September 10, 2004

Valparaiso earned a fourth place finish on Friday evening at its annual Crusader Invitational held at Sunset Hills Farm.

The Crusaders tallied 91 points on the evening, easily outdistancing Wisconsin-Green Bay (142) and Saint Joseph's (Ind.) (168). Western Michigan won the race with 35 points, followed by Wisconsin (41) and Notre Dame (53). Wisconsin's Katrena Runthaug was the overall winner with a time of 22:30.

Freshman Rachel Button (Farmington Hills, Mich./Farmington H.S.) led the way for the Brown and Gold with an 11th place finish overall with a time of 23:40. Rachel Nelson (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit H.S.) placed 16th, nine seconds behind her teammate, while Jobeth Schmiesing (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West H.S.) was third for Valpo and 19th overall with a time of 24:03. Lisa Schroeck (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy) crossed the finish line fourth with a time of 24:17, placing 21st overall while Heidi Nathan (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford H.S.) rounded out the scorers with a time of 24:33, finishing 24th.

Valparaiso will head to the Indiana Intercollegiates next Friday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind. for a meet hosted by Purdue.