CROSS COUNTRY KICKS OFF '04 WITH TIME TRIAL

Saturday, September 4

Boulder, Colo.

8:45 a.m.

Colorado

OPEN/ALUMNI/VARSITY TIME TRIAL

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

September 04, 2004 | Cross Country

By: CUBuffs.com

BOULDER ? Led by a strong effort from the men's squad, the University of Colorado cross country teams kicked off their 2004 campaign Saturday morning, as the Buffs took to the Buffalo Ranch on CU's South Campus for its annual time trial in the men's 8k and women's 5.8k races.

Paced by overall winner and freshman Bradley Harkrader, who finished with time of 26 minutes, 22 seconds, the Buffalo men crossed the finish line in the top 10 spots and for the first time, all top-10 runners ran a sub 27-minute time. Directly on Harkrader's tail, Brent Vaughn (26:22) completed the course with the same mark, while Jared Scott, Ryan Deak, James Strang, and Bret Schoolmeester rounded out the top six with a time of 26:23, respectively. Payton Batliner, Stephen Pifer, and Pete Janson all completed their journeys in the time of 26:24, followed by Jon Severy who finished 10th in 26:25.

“I had high expectations from the men's team and they met and exceeded all of them,” CU head coach Mark Wetmore said. “We have never had 10 men run together, talking for 26 minutes. I am extremely pleased. They are exactly where I want them at this point in the season.”

In the women's race, the Colorado School of Mines' Hannah Davey (22:57) and Heather Beresford (22:57) finished first and second, respectively while Buff freshmen Amber Smith and Shanna Sparks lead the CU women's effort, finished third and fourth as they each recorded 23:21 times. Laura Zeigle, Kendall Grgas-Wheeler, Christine Bolf all ran the course in 23:22. Completing Colorado's collective finish were Natalie Florence, and Renee Metevier (23:23) who both competed in uniform for the Buffs.

“We wanted the women to run together and they did that well today,” Wetmore added. “The run was hard for them today, but that's just something we need to work on.”

The cross country teams officially open their competitive seasons on October 2, when they host the 19th annual Rocky Mountain Shootout at the Buffalo Ranch course.

COLORADO OPEN/ALUMNI/TIME TRIAL

Men's 8k Women's 5.8k

1. Bradley Harkrader 26:22 1. Hannah Davey, Mines 22:57

2. Brent Vaughn 26:22 2. Heather Beresford, Mines 22:57

3. Jared Scott, CU 26:23 3. Amber Smith 23:21

4. Ryan Deak 26:23 4. Shanna Sparks 23:21

5. James Strang 26:23 5. Laura Zeigle, CU 23:22

6. Bret Schoolmeester 26:23 6. Kendall Grgas-Wheeler, CU 23:22

7. Payton Batliner 26:24 7. Christine Bolf 23:22

8. Stephen Pifer, CU 26:24 8. Natalie Florence, CU 23:23

9. Pete Janson, CU 26:24 9. Renee Metevier, CU 23:23

10. Jon Severy, CU 26:25 10. Kristen Hoogheem 23:42