Oct. 14, 2007

Rochester, N.Y. - The Mercyhurst women's cross country team placed second out of 15 teams at the Harry F. Anderson Invitational, hosted by Roberts Wesleyan University, Saturday. Freshman Cherie Jackson continued to lead the way for the Lakers, finishing fourth out of 149 runners.

Houghton College one the event with 73 team points, followed by Mercyhurst with 94. Both Roberts Wesleyan and Alfred University were just one point behind with 95. Gannon finished fifth with 102.

Jackson's time of 19:06.1 was her best of the year on a 5K course and was less than five seconds behind the second place finisher. Roberts Wesleyan's Kelly Hanlon won the race in 18:38.9. Jackson was also the top freshman finisher.

Another Mercyhurst runner, Jennifer Mieczkowski was the next-best freshman placer, ending 16th with a time of 20:20.7. Sophomore Christie Turak was 20th in 20:37.2 and sophomore Amanda Ehrbar was 22nd in 20:41.6. Junior Sara Rex was the final runner to count towards the team total, placing 39th with a time of 21:28.5.

Freshman Emily Monahan was only three spots behind Rex, finishing 42nd with a time of 21:32.5 and senior Allison Babcock ended 58th with a time of 21:55.6. Senior Victoria Caruso and freshman Clara Strasenburgh ended 65th and 66th with times of 22:01.5 and 22:03.9. Sophomore Jessica Pachlhofer finished 77th in 22:30.8 and junior Stephanie Wilkens ended 92nd with a time of 23:28.0.

Mercyhurst will begin the postseason this weekend as the Lakers co-host the GLIAC Championships with Gannon University Saturday. The 6,000-meter women's race will start at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview, Pa.