FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The Sun Devil cross country team opened their season just how head coach Louie Quintana wanted, with redshirt senior C.J. Albertson finishing first overall in the men's race and the women also taking the top team spot at the George Kyte Classic at Buffalo Park on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Albertson kept pace at the front of the pack throughout the race, holding his position until the right time to make his move. With roughly 1,200 meters to go, Albertson kicked on the jets and cruised to a five-second victory at 22:34.4.
"C.J. was solid and he raced composed. He hoped to run a bit faster, but overall we were happy with the win," said Quintana. "The guys did a great job of executing as a team. We were much improved, composed and just had a great overall day."
As a team, the men finished second thanks to top-10 victories by redshirt sophomore John Reniewicki (9th) and redshirt junior Cody Brazeal (10th). To round out the scoring for the Devils, redshirt sophomores Brandon Boys and Nick Dale crossed in 15th and 16th, respectively. The men finished just behind NAU, who Quintana says is a good measuring stick for the team considering the Lumberjacks are ranked No. 3 in the USTFCCCA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
"They weren't at full strength and neither were we. We are closing the gap," he said.
The lady Sun Devils ran a consistent race en route to the top spot as a team thanks to all five scorers finishing in the top-10. C.J.'s better half -- senoir Chelsey Totten-Albertson -- finished second overall with a time of 15:16.8 in the women's 2.6-mile race.
"The women were great -- they executed their assignment, " said Quintana. "It wasn't perfect but they manager their emotions well. Our freshmen Megan (Reniewicki) and Courtney (Lewis) were terrific. It's a good start to the season and nice to get a team win."
Lewis and Reniewicki finished in 4th and 5th, respectively, running 15:56.2 and 15.56.8. Redshirt senior Kaitlin Kaluzny (8th) and redshirt freshman Annu Pruter (10th) rounded out the scoring for ASU.
The team will have two weeks to prepare for the Dave Murray Invitational on Sept. 16 in Tucson, Ariz.
George Kyte Classic
Flagstaff, Ariz. - Buffalo Park
Saturday, Sept. 3
Men's Team
1. Northern Arizona - 20
2. Arizona State - 43
3. Grand Canyon - 81
4. Arizona - 85
Men's Individual
1. CJ Albertson - 22:34.4
9. John Reniewicki - 23:36.0
10. Cody Brazeal - 23:39.7
15. Brandon Boys - 24:00.0
16. Nick Dale - 24:00.9
37. Kyle Shinn - 25:37.2
Women's Team
1. Arizona State - 29
2. Northern Arizona - 45
3. Arizona - 72
4. Grand Canyon - 79
5. UNLV - 121
Women's Individual
2. Chelsey Totten - 15:16.8
4. Courtney Lewis - 15:56.2
5. Megan Reniewicki - 15:56.8
8. Kaitlin Kaluzny - 16:13.5
10. Anna Pruter - 16:23.0
23. Carissa Diaz - 17:04.7
27. Lauren Gavulic - 17:17.7
Albertson kept pace at the front of the pack throughout the race, holding his position until the right time to make his move. With roughly 1,200 meters to go, Albertson kicked on the jets and cruised to a five-second victory at 22:34.4.
"C.J. was solid and he raced composed. He hoped to run a bit faster, but overall we were happy with the win," said Quintana. "The guys did a great job of executing as a team. We were much improved, composed and just had a great overall day."
As a team, the men finished second thanks to top-10 victories by redshirt sophomore John Reniewicki (9th) and redshirt junior Cody Brazeal (10th). To round out the scoring for the Devils, redshirt sophomores Brandon Boys and Nick Dale crossed in 15th and 16th, respectively. The men finished just behind NAU, who Quintana says is a good measuring stick for the team considering the Lumberjacks are ranked No. 3 in the USTFCCCA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
"They weren't at full strength and neither were we. We are closing the gap," he said.
The lady Sun Devils ran a consistent race en route to the top spot as a team thanks to all five scorers finishing in the top-10. C.J.'s better half -- senoir Chelsey Totten-Albertson -- finished second overall with a time of 15:16.8 in the women's 2.6-mile race.
"The women were great -- they executed their assignment, " said Quintana. "It wasn't perfect but they manager their emotions well. Our freshmen Megan (Reniewicki) and Courtney (Lewis) were terrific. It's a good start to the season and nice to get a team win."
Lewis and Reniewicki finished in 4th and 5th, respectively, running 15:56.2 and 15.56.8. Redshirt senior Kaitlin Kaluzny (8th) and redshirt freshman Annu Pruter (10th) rounded out the scoring for ASU.
The team will have two weeks to prepare for the Dave Murray Invitational on Sept. 16 in Tucson, Ariz.
George Kyte Classic
Flagstaff, Ariz. - Buffalo Park
Saturday, Sept. 3
Men's Team
1. Northern Arizona - 20
2. Arizona State - 43
3. Grand Canyon - 81
4. Arizona - 85
Men's Individual
1. CJ Albertson - 22:34.4
9. John Reniewicki - 23:36.0
10. Cody Brazeal - 23:39.7
15. Brandon Boys - 24:00.0
16. Nick Dale - 24:00.9
37. Kyle Shinn - 25:37.2
Women's Team
1. Arizona State - 29
2. Northern Arizona - 45
3. Arizona - 72
4. Grand Canyon - 79
5. UNLV - 121
Women's Individual
2. Chelsey Totten - 15:16.8
4. Courtney Lewis - 15:56.2
5. Megan Reniewicki - 15:56.8
8. Kaitlin Kaluzny - 16:13.5
10. Anna Pruter - 16:23.0
23. Carissa Diaz - 17:04.7
27. Lauren Gavulic - 17:17.7