September 15, 2003

Contact: Bob McComas (724) 738-2777 e-mail: robert.mccomas@sru.edu

LORETTO, Pa. – Senior Meredith Hubbard (Gibsonia/Pine Richland HS) placed fourth in the women’s race and senior Nick Luden (North East/North East HS) finished fifth in the men’s race to pace Slippery Rock University runners’ effort at the first-ever Western Pennsylvania Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

Hubbard led The Rock women (58 points) to a second-place finish in the six-team women’s competition, while Luden paced SRU’s men (78 points) to a third-place finish. St. Francis won both the men’s and women’s team titles with 31 and 47 points, respectively.

Luden had a time 26:12 on the 8,000-meter course.

For The Rock men, freshman Matt Bluman (Jeannette/Penn Trafford HS) finished in 17th place with a time of 27:22; freshman Chris Geddis (Cranberry Township/Seneca Valley HS) placed 18th with a time of 27:29, sophomore Greg Byrnes (Wexford/Pine Richland HS)placed 19th with a time of 27:53 and freshman Brian Damaska (Beaver Falls/Beaver Falls HS) was 23rd with a time of 28:10.

Joining Hubbard as The Rock’s top five finishers were sophomore Holly Whoolery (Point Marian/Albert Gallatin HS)in 10th place), sophomore Kim Kalicka (Corry/Corry HS)in 13th place, sophomore Jenna Gostowski (Cranberry/Seneca Valley HS)in 14th place and sophomore Jessica Price (Allison Park/Hampton) in 17th place.

Times were not available for the women’s race.

The Rock’s action will be Sept. 27 when it takes part in the Lock Haven Invitational.

# ROCK PRIDE #

0304-PR-16