Sept. 15, 2007

Seattle, Wash. -- Santa Clara's cross country team continued with their strong start to the season Saturday at the Sundodger Invitational. The women finished fourth and the men took seventh in a race that was the first big test for the Broncos this season.

Once again, the senior leaders came up big on both teams. Adriane Puetz took 7th in the women's 6k race, in what head coach Tom Service called "a very, very good field," with a time of 21:25, a course record for an SCU runner. Michael Delaurenti spearheaded the men's team with a time of 24:43 in the 8k.

The men's team set a new Santa Clara record for the team time in an 8k. Also running extremely strong for them was Chris Sampson with a time of 25:08, a new Santa Clara freshman record for that course. "The freshmen really came through for us today," said Service.

Also for the women, freshman Melissa Conlin ran great for her first collegiate 6k with a time of 22:08.

"We're closing in on the top teams," said Service. "This is just another big step in the right direction."

Top Santa Clara Finishers - Men

23rd - Michael Delaurenti - 24:43
33rd - Chris Sampson - 25:08
50th - Alex Harkins - 25:33
61st - Christopher Mosier - 25:50
66th - Stephen Koch - 25:57

Top Santa Clara Finishers - Women

7th - Adriane Puetz - 21:55
24th - Melissa Conlin - 22:08
29th - Veronica Vazquez - 22:15
40th - Whitney Porter - 22:42
41st - Blossom Marimpietri - 22:46