September 13, 1998
IRVINE, Calif. - The University of Arizona men's and women's cross country teams both took home the team titles at the UC Irvine/Asics Cross Country Invitational, their first meets of the season.
The Wildcat men cruised to a win with 34 points. Northern Arizona was second with 56, while Arizona State was a distant third with 109. The Wildcat women equally as easily with 51 points. UCLA was second with 81 points, while NAU was third with 98.
Seniors Amy Skieresz and Abdi Abdirahman also won the individual titles for the Wildcats. Abdirahman out-kicked fellow Wildcat David Lopez at the finish line to win the 8,000m race in 24:44. Skieresz took home the women's 5,000m race in 17:14.
Freshman Tara Chaplin showed that she is ready to dominate at the collegiate level. She finished second behind Skieresz in 17:22. Arizona head coach Dave Murray has called Chaplin the most talented freshman he has ever coached, including Skieresz.
Junior Kristen Parrish finished ninth 18:20. Junior Claire Becker, a transfer from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, was 17th in 18:48, while sophomore Katrin Engelen was 22nd in 18:55. Freshman Jennifer Burris was 24th in 18:58, freshman Cara Cline was 35th in 19:30, senior Brooke Murphy was 47th in 19:32 and junior Alison Phears was 58th in 19:44.
Coming in just behind Abdirahman and Lopez, junior Micheil Jones rounded out the top three for the Wildcats, finishing in 24:47. Competing in his first collegiate race, freshman Steve Smith finished 13th in 25:18. Junior Jeremy Lyon finished 16th in 25:29, freshman Brent Pederson was 17th in 25:30 and redshirt freshman Mike Cramer was 25th in 25:52.
The Wildcats will resume action next week when they travel to San Diego for the Aztec Invitational.
Women's Finishers Men's Finishers 1. Amy Skieresz 17:14 1. Abdi Abdirahman 24:44 2. Tara Chaplin 17:22 2. David Lopez 24:44 9. Kristen Parrish 18:20 3. Micheil Jones 24:47 17. Claire Becker 18:48 13. Steve Smith 25:18 22. Katrin Engelen 18:55 16. Jeremy Lyon 25:29 24. Jennifer Burris 19:01 17. Brent Pederson 25:30 35. Cara Cline 19:20 25. Mike Cramer 25:52 47. Brooke Murphy 19:32 58. Alison Phears 19:44