FUS Cross Country Team Members Break School Records

OBERLIN, OH-The Franciscan University of Steubenville's men's and women's cross country teams ran the best times in the history of the school this Saturday at the Intra-Regional Rumble. The men's team placed 22^nd of 30 teams while the women's team took 16^th of 27 teams. The fast-pace, flat race provided a great opportunity for each member to run the fastest times of the season.

Breaking his own school record, Freshman Bill Jones ran the 8k men's race in 25:49 minutes, accomplishing his seasonal goal of running under 26 minutes and placing 46^th of 271 runners. Freshman Kevin Leroy shaved a minute and three seconds from his personal record time, finishing in 26:59. Freshman Marcus Fluty ran two minutes and thirty three seconds faster than his previous personal record in the 8k finishing in 28:17. Junior Kevin Codd shaved yet another half minute off his personal best running in 28:21. Freshmen Matthew Kreple and Jonah Carlstrom cut off 50 and 53 seconds respectively.

Success also ran rampant on the women's team. Junior Erin Bliss broke the school's record for the 5k while running the 6k race placing 14^th of 232 athletes and finishing in 22:27. Bliss cut two minutes and twenty eight seconds off her personal best for the 6k. Sophomore Monica Rust, shaving off one minute and forty one seconds from her personal record, finished in 35^th place running the 6k in 23:01. Great efforts were put forth by freshmen Anna Hogan, running in 24:18, Annie Asmussen in 24:29 and sophomore Anna Scarnecchia in 24:35. Personal records were set by most of the Lady Barons.

"It was amazing to see everyone do so well," commented head coach Dr. Dan Kuebler post-race. "This is by far the best that Franciscan runners have ever run. It was gratifying to see all the athletes' drastic improvements. We'll be working on getting into our best shape this season for the Conference Championship in a couple of weeks".

Both teams will be preparing for the AMCC Conference Championships that will take place in two weeks on November 1^st. Races will start at 1 pm in Altoona, PA.