Oct. 11, 2002
The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s cross country teams did not compete in the scheduled Central Collegiate Championships earlier this year and decided to make a trip to the Bronco Open in Three Rivers, Mich., on Friday.
Notre Dame entered both of its “B” teams in the meet. Ana Morales led the women’s team effort, taking second place in 17:59 on the 5,000-kilometer course. Rachel Endress took sixth place, followed by Muffy Schmidt (ninth), Keri McCarthy (10th), Emily Showman (11th), Susie Creary (13th), Jackie Heap (20th), Melissa Webb (21st), Kerry Meagher (22nd), Margaret Martin (25th) and Elizabeth Webster (26th).
Jenny Walls (29th), Corrine Gabriel (30th) and Rashelle Simpson (31st) also ran in the meet for the women’s team. Notre Dame ended up second with 34 points behind Western Michigan (21 points).
The men’s team entered just four runners in its 8,000-kilometer race. Sophomore Mike Manning was the first Irish runner across the finish line in second place and freshman Austin Weaver took fifth. Tom Longo (10th) and Tom Weiler (22nd) also ran for Notre Dame.
Both teams will be back in action next weekend at the 2002 Pre-National Meet in Terre Haute, Ind.. The meet will give the Irish runners an opportunity to compete on the future national championship course and will be the first time they move up to championship distance (men 10K, women 8K).