Sept. 9, 2000

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest men's and women's cross country teams defeated North Carolina in a duel meet Saturday morning at Water Tower Field. The Demon Deacon men's team opened up their season with a 17-47 victory in the 8,000 Meter race and then the women's team upset the 14th ranked Tar Heels, 27-28 in a very close 5,000 Meter run.

"I am very pleased," said Wake Forest women's coach Annie Schweitzer Bennett. "One point is awfully close. Against a team ranked 14th nationally, I knew it would be tough. We worked well together and we had tremendous fan support. In cross country you have to have pack running and we really did that well, working together and supporting each other. UNC had some people out and so did we. I thought we ran a strong race though."

Shalene Flanagan of North Carolina was the individual champion in the women's race, finishing 33 seconds ahead of the next runner. Sara Day lead the Deacs, taking second with 17:46. Garick Hill of Wake Forest won the men's run, with a time of 25:36.

"They really ran a good race today," said Wake Forest men's coach Gary Sievers. "They did better than I expected. We are tired, we didn't rest at all coming into this so I really am pleased with their performance."

Both the Wake Forest men's and women's cross country teams received votes in the preseason polls. The Demon Deacons return to action Saturday, Sept. 16, the men at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C. and the women go to Raleigh, N.C. for the Pre-ACC select Individuals.