Crusaders Cruise to Chicago Invitational Title
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Led by eight individual victories in 16 total events, Valparaiso ran away with the Chicago Invitational title on Saturday afternoon by 92 points over runner-up Saint Joseph's (Ind.).

Melanie Wilson (Saint Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain H.S.) set her fourth school record of the season in the 200m dash winning with a time of 25.85 seconds. The freshman also improved her school record in winning the long jump with a leap of 5.52m. She finished her trio of wins with a leap of 11.35m in the triple jump.

Holly Hagen (Hobart, Ind./Hobart H.S.) also posted a pair of wins on the day in the throwing events. She won the shot put with a toss of 12.32m, and also posted a win in the weight throw with a heave of 15.25m.

Patricia Kloth (Medford, Wis./Washburn H.S.) notched a .01 second victory in the 55m dash with a time of 7.67 seconds.

Valpo also won a pair of middle distance events. Danielle Nunnelly (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.) took home first place in the mile with a time of 5:14.62, while Rachel Nelson (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit H.S.) was the victor in the 800m run with a mark of 2:24.91.

Valpo will return to action next Saturday as the Crusaders head to Bloomington, Ill. for the Redbird Invitational. Events begin at 11:30 a.m.