Oct. 2, 2009
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -
Notre Dame Invitational Women's Team Results 
Notre Dame Invitational Women's Individual Results
Notre Dame Invitational Men's Team Results
Notre Dame Invitational Men's Individual Results
Led by senior Scott Krapf and junior Matt Mroczynski's performances in the men's Blue Division five-mile race, the Illinois State men's cross country team finished in 18th place with 421 points at the 54th running of the Notre Dame Invitational, at the Notre Dame Golf Course Friday afternoon. The women's team, which ran in the Blue Division 5K race for the first time, also finished the race in 18th place with 494 points.
In the women's Blue Division meet, the Redbirds defeated in-state Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley (504) by 10 points, while the men fell to Southern Illinois (236) and Indiana State (326) in the competitive 23-team field.
"Southern Illinois is a really strong team, and they showed that with their eighth-place finish," said head cross country coach Jeff Bovee. "Indiana State also ran really well today. It proves that our conference is a strong one, and we have to get better each week."
Krapf was the first Redbird to cross the finish line in 30th place in a time of 24:23, while Mroczynski was a second behind in 31st place. Junior Jon Roberts finished the race with a personal-best time of 25:06, which was good for 82nd place.
"The first three men ran really well," said Bovee. "Jon ran a personal-best time today, while Matt has run really well at this meet the past two years. I was pleased with the top-four finishers. We have made positive steps, but we need to narrow the gap between our first three runners and the fourth and fifth runners."
Rounding out the top-five finishers for the Redbirds were freshmen Kevin Forde and Gerardo Perez, who took 143rd and 149th place, respectively.
On the women's side, Illinois State's top finisher was junior Jess Husted (82nd), who crossed the finish line with a personal-best time of 17:51. Juniors Sarah Glowacki and Michelle Brunk were the next Redbirds to cross the finish line in 89th and 102nd place, respectively.
"On the women's side, we have had a different top finisher in each of our three meets," said Bovee. "That shows the depth and talent we have on our team, but we need all of the women to run well on the same day. That will be the key for the women's team. "
Junior Kirsten Lang (111th) crossed the finish line in a time of 18:19, while freshman Brea Tinney ended the race in 18:36.
The Redbirds have two weeks off before competing at the Bradley Classic, Oct. 16 and NCAA Pre-Nationals Meet Oct. 17, in Terre Haute, Ind.
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