Rain Shortens Cross Country Race at Ohio University

Event Cut to 3k After Storms Roll In

Brittany Elmlinger

Sept. 26, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio - Cleveland State competed at the rain-shortened Ohio University Invitational on Saturday morning at the OU Golf Course.

CSU finished seventh of seven teams with 172 points.

The race was originally scheduled to be a 6-kilometer run, the first such for CSU this year, but it had to be cut to a 3-kilometer due to inclement weather.

"It was unfortunate that we had to have the race cut, but there is nothing we can do to control the weather," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "I thought everyone was looking good and we were running together in packs helping each other.

"Our goal is to run as a team and help each other out and eventually spread out and I thought we were able to do that again today. It was disappointing that we couldn't finish the race, but we will learn from this experience and become a tougher team."

Sophomore Allison Craine led the Vikings, finishing 22nd in 11:25, while sophomore Brittany Elmlinger was 37th in 11:53. Sophomore Kelly Zaleski finished 39th in 11:54.

"Allison looked really good today," Jaketic said. "She was a little sick afterwards, but she continues to get stronger and stronger as the season goes on."

The Vikings will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 2, when they compete in the All-Ohio Championships at Ohio Wesleyan. The race will begin at 2:00 p.m.

CSU RESULTS
22. Allison Craine, 11:25
37. Brittany Elmlinger, 11:53
39, Kelly Zaleski, 11:54
54. Andria Bazilevich, 12:23
55. Jordan Hoile, 12:27
56. Rachel Niemi, 12:27