Oct. 4, 2002

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Tulane University women's cross country team split a three-team meet with UNO and South Alabama, while the Green Wave men defeated UNO in a dual meet, on Friday afternoon at Lake Oaks Park.

The Wave women lost to UNO, 34-22, while defeating South Alabama, 46-20. On the men's side, Tulane topped crosstown rival UNO, 30-25.

"I was pleased with the effort and performance of both teams," Tulane head coach Heather Van Norman said. "It's all about practicing and getting ready for conference [Conference USA Championships, Nov. 2].

"Preparation for the conference is definitely going well," Van Norman continued. "Workouts are going very well."

Sophomore Megan Whelton (New Orleans, La.) was the top finisher for the Green Wave women, who were competing without top runner Eva Lustigova (Liberec, Czech Republic), who is injured. Whelton finished fourth overall on the two-mile course with a time of 12:22.11.

Tulane's men's team was paced by senior Adam Leskis (Spokane, Wash.), who earned his first individual title, posting a time of 10:12.39 on the two-mile course. Senior Mark Williams (Austin, Texas) was fourth overall in the meet, while senior Luke Hooper (Norman, Okla.) took fifth place.

Following Whelton for the Wave women were freshman Mandy Hopper (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior Carlyne Pradieu (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

Rounding out the scorers for the Green Wave men were junior Ryan Gallagher (New Orleans, La.) and senior Clement Abai (Port Moresby, New Guinea). Junior Sheena Garwood (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and sophomore Camilla Hatlen (Mosjoen, Norway) took fourth and fifth, respectively, on the women's side.

The top individual women's time was UNO's Pavlina Vondrkova, who covered the course in 11:37.33.

Tulane returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Auburn Bank Invitational in Auburn, Ala.

Tulane Finishers:
Women (Two miles):
4. Megan Whelton, 12:22.1
6. Mandy Hopper, 12:49.76
7. Carlyne Pradieu, 12:50.98
10. Sheena Garwood, 13:30.82
12. Camilla Hatlen, 14:59.09
13. Tahira Wiggins, 15:06.86
16. Lissie Mo, 15:59.07
17. Helmi Leppanen, 16:09.36
20. Angel Dooley, 18:34.32
22. Essence Kendrick, 22:51.50

Men (Two miles):
1. Adam Leskis, 10:12.39
4. Mark Williams, 10:32.67
5. Luke Hooper, 10:43.39
7. Ryan Gallagher, 11:07.39
8. Clement Abai, 11:41.98
12. Alex Lakhanpal, 17:42.30