Sept. 29, 2007
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Purdue University women's cross country team notched its second straight team victory on Saturday as the Boilermakers totaled a mere 80 points to win the 35th annual Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational in Chicago. The men's team had a solid outing as well, placing 10th out of 21 teams with a score of 255.
Sophomores Kristin Phillips and Katie Morrical led the way for the Purdue women, placing fourth and fifth, respectively, with matching times of 17:55 on the 5K course. Rookie Kristina Krasich was the Boilermakers' third finisher, crossing the line 15th overall with a time of 18:31, while senior Danielle Ginther and freshman Erin Ragouzis rounded out the Purdue scorers in 28th and 37th with respective times of 18:54 and 19:05.
On the men's side, sophomore standout Matt De Silva turned in a time of 25:40 to lead the Boilermakers and place 28th overall. Freshmen Jacob Laird, Matt Clifford and Robert Shiflett followed him with times of 25:57, 26:23 and 26:24, marking career-best 8K times for Laird and Clifford. Junior Steve Swank wrapped up the Boilermakers' top five, stopping the watch at 26:30.
Malone College topped the men's team competition with 46 points led by Ryan Kienzle's first-place finish, while Big Ten rival Iowa came in second with 66 points. The Boilermakers edged out Western Ontario University in the women's championship by just one point as Ragouzis beat the Mustangs' Hilary Egan to the line for the slim victory. Esther Erb of Case Western Reserve won the women's race with a time of 17:35.
The Boilermakers return to action in two weeks, traveling down state to Terre Haute, Ind. for the Pre-National Invitational.