Sep. 4, 2004

KETTERING, Ohio - The University of Dayton women's team placed third and the Flyer men were fourth in Saturday's Flyer 5K Challenge to kick off the 2004 college cross country season in southwestern Ohio. All five NCAA Division I cross country programs in the area were at the meet-Cincinnati, Dayton, Miami, Wright State and Xavier-along with IUPUI and Northern Kentucky.

Miami was the team champion in both the men's and women's divisions. In the men's race, RedHawk senior David Mitchell set a meet and course record of 15:17 to lead his team to the win. MU had 26 points, followed by Cincinnati (52 points), IUPUI (75), Dayton (92), Xavier (108) and Wright State (161).

In the women's race, Miami's 27 points outdistanced the field, followed by Cincinnati (60 points), Dayton (87), Xavier (88), IUPUI (126) and Wright State (159). UC senior Ruth Limo won the women's race, covering the course in 18:43. Northern Kentucky took home the Division II/III trophy in both races.

Senior Michelle Griffin (Lancaster, OH) was UD's first finisher, coming across the line in ninth (19:37). Griffin was followed by teammates senior Colleen Devaney (Cincinnati, OH) in 17th (19:59), sophomore Kiera Gottemoeller (Ft. Loramie, OH) in 20th (20:12), senior Ruth Hinde (Kettering, OH) in 23rd (20:22), freshman Emily Deet (Gibsonia, PA) in 25th (20:29), sophomore Tessa Mott (Columbus, OH) in 26th (20:29), sophomore Lauren Fenske (Dublin, OH) in 27th (20:29), sophomore Megan Watkins (Belair, MD) in 31st (20:38), senior Dana Dukro (Dayton, OH) in 43rd (21:20), senior Katie Dobies (Upper Arlington, OH) in 46th (21:26), junior Kate Mone (Cleveland, OH) in 47th (21:30), junior Katelyn Bennett (Fairview Park, OH) in 52nd (21:55), sophomore Jennifer Lowe (59th, 22:20) and senior Jenny Wittich (Columbus, OH) in 63rd (22:38).

This was the first meet for the Flyers under the guidance of new coach Ann Alyanak.

The first Dayton man in the race also placed ninth. Junior David Berning (Sidney, OH) had a time of 15:49. He was ahead of sophomore Brian Gilchrist (Novi, MI) in 11th (15:51), sophomore Eric Contreras (Centerville, OH) in 18th (16:11), freshman Billy Przbyla (Centerville, OH) in 29th (16:22), senior Brian Roberts (Findlay, OH) in 31st (16:23), freshman Dan Sammons (Johnstown, OH) in 34th (16:26), senior Zak Lewis (Loveland, OH) in 44th (16:41), freshman Mike Connolly (Strongsville, OH) in 52nd), sophomore Matt Manning (Canton, OH) in 53rd (17:05), sophomore Matt Danis (Dayton, OH) in 55th (17:09), sophomore Tony Holtvoight (Dayton, OH) in 64th (17:21) and junior Adam Miller (Kansas, OH) in 76th (18:00).

Both teams are at Bowling Green next Saturday for the Mel Brodt Invitational.