Sept. 8, 2001

USF Cross Country opened the 2001 season on the road at Sacramento where they competed in the Sacramento State Invitational. The Cal men's cross country team won the Sacramento Invitational four-mile race today at Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, Calif. The Santa Clara women's cross country team held off host Sacramento State in the women's five-kilometer race.

USF placed fourth on the men's side and fifth in the women's race in the five-school meet. Individually, the men's race was won by Santa Clara's Thomas Chapman with a time of 21:21. The Golden Bears had four of the top six runners in the meet led by Martin Conrad's time of 21:24. Adam Shaffer (21:29), John Burke (21:40) and Tyler Noesen (21:41) rounded out the top four Cal finishers.

On the women's side, the individual winner was Cal's Erin Belger, who finished with a time of 18:44. Santa Clara had four of the top 10 runners at the meet led by Jenny Smokey, who finished third overall with a time of 19:13. Annie Gastelum (19:32), Robin Bell (19:51) and Milena Basile (19:55) round out the top four Bronco finishers.

USF's senior women's captain Laura Danner-Baird placed highest for San Francisco with an eighth place showing and a time of 19:53, while Thomas Revane was the highest placer for the men with a 21st place showing and a time of 23:34. Marcie Cole also posted a top-20 finish with a time of 20:51 for 15th place.

USF Cross Country returns to action when they compete at the UC Davis Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Men's Team Finish Name/Team Points 1. Cal 31 2. Santa Clara 43 3. Sacramento State 47 4. San Francisco 126 5. Saint Mary's 127

Women's Team Finish Name/Team Points 1. Santa Clara 42 2. Sacramento State 56 3. Cal 61 4. Saint Mary's 71 5. San Francisco 115