Cross Country Places 14th at NCAA Great Lakes Regional :: Crystina Martinez Named First Team All-Region

Nov. 10, 2007

Bloomington, IN-The women's cross county team ran a great race this afternoon, placing 14^th of 30 teams at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional cross country meet. The 14^th place team-finish is the highest in school history at the regional level.

The Mastodons topped Summit League foes IUPUI and Oakland, as well as defeating in-state rivals Indiana University and Indiana State University for the first time.

"The girls ran their hearts out," stated Coach Fruchey. "We have never beaten IU or ISU, so to defeat two big, state schools is huge for our program!"

Individually, Crystina Martinez crossed the finish line first for the `Dons, clocking a time of 21:40.32. Martinez placed 21^st in a field of 215 runners earning First Team All-Region status. With her top-25 place finish, Martinez has the possibility of earning an individual, at-large bid to the NCAA Championships on November 19 in Terre Haute. Crystal Martinez (44^th/22:12.40), Ashley Porter (101^st/23:15.72), Valerie Hardesty (118^th/23:29.30), and Sussy Odipo (155^th/24:05.95) rounded out IPFW's top-five finishers.

Michigan State won the team title, defeating Michigan by three points. Michigan's Nicole Edwards was the Great Lakes Regional Champion with a time of 20:30.76.