AU Runners Lead the Pack at Wooster
September 28, 2002

On a short trip Saturday (Sept. 28), the Ashland University cross country teams made short work of the opposition.

The Eagles were in action at the Wooster Invitational Saturday. Both the AU men and women brought home team championships and both teams boasted the individual champion.

The AU men were first among 10 teams with 31 points. Second place went to Kenyon (46) and Walsh (121) was third.

Senior Nick Cordes was the individual champion. His time on the 8K course was 25:24. Kenyon took the next two spots, Ben Hilderbrand finishing second (26:05) and Michael Baird coming home third (26:26). AU sophomore Nate Iler was fourth (26:50).

Ashland also got Top 10 placements from freshman Mike Synk (seventh, 27:15) and senior Vince Swartzentruber (eighth, 27:18).

The AU women paced an 11-team field with 50 points. Kenyon (70) nudged out Oberlin (71) for third place. AU junior Tara Griffin led the runners over the 5,000 meters in 18:45. Ashland’s other Top 10 finish was posted by freshman Jessica Fleming, who was 10th in 20:06.

Ashland’s next meet is the All-Ohio Meet on Oct. 11.