SUNNYVALE, Calif. - The University of Nevada cross country team finished fifth out of 17 teams and eight of the Pack's 10 runners recorded PRs Saturday morning at the 5K Bronco Invite at Baylands Park.
Nevada finished fifth overall, ahead of four of the five other WAC schools who participated. Overall, New Mexico State finished first followed by USF, Long Beach State, Sacramento State and Nevada. Other WAC schools in attendance finished as follows: Hawai'i (9th); Fresno State (10th); Boise State (14th) and San Jose State (15th).
Jordan Burke was again the Pack's top finisher at the meet. She finished 25th overall out of 156 runners with a 5K time of 17:57. Janet Martinez took 32nd overall and recorded a PR (18:08) while Mandy Russ finished 43rd with a PR time of 18:18. Samantha Diaz finished 47th and recorded a PR with a time of 18:21.
Natalia Jarawka finished 50th with a time of 18:29. Katarina Ratkowiak finished 67th with a PR time of 18:42. Gloria Sosa rounded out Nevada's lineup finishing 80th with a PR time of 18:50.
"Eight out of our 10 athletes competing today recorded personal records," head coach Kirk Elias said. "But there is still a lot of improvement that needs to happen in the next couple of weeks before the WAC Championships but it can be done."
Nevada also had three athletes compete in the 5K open race Saturday morning. Christy Works finished third overall in that race out of 135 runners with a 5K PR of 19:03. Nicole Painter (15th/19:34) and Tara Dines (30th/19:59) also recorded PRs on the day.
Nevada will host the 2009 WAC Cross Country Championships on Saturday, October 31 at Rancho San Rafael Park. The men's 8K race will start at 10 a.m. with the women's 5K race starting at 10:45 a.m.
