TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State Cross Country team capitalized at their home meet -- the ASU Invitational -- on Friday afternoon, with the women placing first and the men taking second behind No. 1 Northern Arizona at Papago Golf Course.
Head coach Louie Quintana had a precise mission and goal for each of his individual athletes, and he felt it went as planned as the team prepares for the Pac-12 Championships in a week.
"The women executed the plan very well. We wanted to use the day as a second workout of the week and stress the group slightly with the heat and a challenging course," said Quintana. "I have similar feelings about the men's performance, as they stayed off the pace and locked into the tempo pace that we needed to hit. We were maybe a little fast at the beginning, but made some nice adjustments as the race moved along."
Without the veteran leadership of junior Chelsey Totten, freshman Courtney Lewis led the young ASU group with a fifth-place finish at 18:45.10. Junior transfer Billie Jo Dytrt was right with her at the finish line, crossing three-tenths of a second behind her. Fellow freshman Megan Reniewicki also had a top-10 finish in seventh.
"It was a great prep for Friday (Pac-12 Championship)," said Quintana. "We emerged from the competition fresh and confident, and it was nice to get the win. Our front three really ran a great last kilometer. It was great for Megan, as it was a tremendous boost to her confidence and big for us heading into Pac-12's."
On the men's side, senior CJ Albertson again paced the team in fourth place overall with his partner, and Megan's brother, John Reniewicki on his heels in fifth. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Boys continues to show his ability to help the men's program in scoring with an 8th-place finish.
"John Reniewicki closed extremely well," said Quintana. "He's still learning, but is showing us the greatness that's to come. It was a very productive day for the group."
The Devils will get right to work and thankfully won't have to encounter much travel, as the Pac-12 Championships will be hosted by the University of Arizona on Friday, Oct. 28 at Randolph North Golf Course. The team ran their earlier this season, with the men placing first and the women in second.
ASU Track & Field/Cross Country Alumni Event A Success
Following the meet, the Sun Devil Track & Field/Cross Country program hosted several alumni members as well as champions from the 1977 and 2007 NCAA Championship squads for dinner at the Papago G.C.
"It was great to catch up with many Sun Devil great tonight," said Quintana. "It was fantastic to see the merging of all these athletes who represented several NCAA team championships. It will be great to see the 1977 and 2007 NCAA Championship teams recognized during the game tomorrow."
Tomorrow's football game against Washington State will be the final part of the alumni event, as the Sun Devil champions will be honored on the field.
ASU Invitational Results
Women's Results
5. Courtney Lewis - 18:45.10
6. Billie Jo Dytrt - 18:45.49
7. Megan Reniewicki - 18:46.89
15. Anna Pruter - 19:20.37
16. Kelly Schock - 19:21.08
18. Carissa Diaz - 19:26.50
21. Lauren Gavulic - 19:31.36
24. Alexis Nichols - 19:35.12
35. Mia Townsend - 20:52.18
Women's Team
1. Arizona State - 49
2. Arizona - 56
3. Northern Arizona - 69
4. Central Arizona - 76
5. Mesa C.C. - 94
Men's Results
4. CJ Albertson - 20:45.90
5. John Reniewicki - 20:54.95
8. Brandon Boys - 21:17.08
12. Nick Dale - 21:32.90
14. Michael Coccia - 21:43.88
15. Kyle Shinn - 21:53.92
Men's Team
1. Northern Arizona - 35
2. Arizona State - 43
3. Central Arizona - 47
4. Mesa C.C. - 102
Head coach Louie Quintana had a precise mission and goal for each of his individual athletes, and he felt it went as planned as the team prepares for the Pac-12 Championships in a week.
"The women executed the plan very well. We wanted to use the day as a second workout of the week and stress the group slightly with the heat and a challenging course," said Quintana. "I have similar feelings about the men's performance, as they stayed off the pace and locked into the tempo pace that we needed to hit. We were maybe a little fast at the beginning, but made some nice adjustments as the race moved along."
Without the veteran leadership of junior Chelsey Totten, freshman Courtney Lewis led the young ASU group with a fifth-place finish at 18:45.10. Junior transfer Billie Jo Dytrt was right with her at the finish line, crossing three-tenths of a second behind her. Fellow freshman Megan Reniewicki also had a top-10 finish in seventh.
"It was a great prep for Friday (Pac-12 Championship)," said Quintana. "We emerged from the competition fresh and confident, and it was nice to get the win. Our front three really ran a great last kilometer. It was great for Megan, as it was a tremendous boost to her confidence and big for us heading into Pac-12's."
On the men's side, senior CJ Albertson again paced the team in fourth place overall with his partner, and Megan's brother, John Reniewicki on his heels in fifth. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Boys continues to show his ability to help the men's program in scoring with an 8th-place finish.
"John Reniewicki closed extremely well," said Quintana. "He's still learning, but is showing us the greatness that's to come. It was a very productive day for the group."
The Devils will get right to work and thankfully won't have to encounter much travel, as the Pac-12 Championships will be hosted by the University of Arizona on Friday, Oct. 28 at Randolph North Golf Course. The team ran their earlier this season, with the men placing first and the women in second.
ASU Track & Field/Cross Country Alumni Event A Success
Following the meet, the Sun Devil Track & Field/Cross Country program hosted several alumni members as well as champions from the 1977 and 2007 NCAA Championship squads for dinner at the Papago G.C.
"It was great to catch up with many Sun Devil great tonight," said Quintana. "It was fantastic to see the merging of all these athletes who represented several NCAA team championships. It will be great to see the 1977 and 2007 NCAA Championship teams recognized during the game tomorrow."
Tomorrow's football game against Washington State will be the final part of the alumni event, as the Sun Devil champions will be honored on the field.
ASU Invitational Results
Women's Results
5. Courtney Lewis - 18:45.10
6. Billie Jo Dytrt - 18:45.49
7. Megan Reniewicki - 18:46.89
15. Anna Pruter - 19:20.37
16. Kelly Schock - 19:21.08
18. Carissa Diaz - 19:26.50
21. Lauren Gavulic - 19:31.36
24. Alexis Nichols - 19:35.12
35. Mia Townsend - 20:52.18
Women's Team
1. Arizona State - 49
2. Arizona - 56
3. Northern Arizona - 69
4. Central Arizona - 76
5. Mesa C.C. - 94
Men's Results
4. CJ Albertson - 20:45.90
5. John Reniewicki - 20:54.95
8. Brandon Boys - 21:17.08
12. Nick Dale - 21:32.90
14. Michael Coccia - 21:43.88
15. Kyle Shinn - 21:53.92
Men's Team
1. Northern Arizona - 35
2. Arizona State - 43
3. Central Arizona - 47
4. Mesa C.C. - 102