Zips run past UB in cross country opener

The UB men's and women's cross country teams each came up empty handed on Saturday as both programs opened their 2005 seasons at the 37th Annual Tommy Evans Invitational at Firestone Park in Akron, Ohio.

The host team, the Akron Zips, and UB were the only two schools at the competition, which Akron swept in both divisions with a 34-23 victory over the men and a 34-21 victory over the women.

The top individual finish by a Bull belonged to junior captain Dan McKenna who placed first in the men's four-mile race. McKenna finished the course in 20:36 with second place going to Akron's Jason Headman with a time of 20:57. Although they did not have one of their runners place first in the race, Akron came away with the team victory by having David Pykare finish third and Ricky Weisheimer fourth.

The top five finishers in each division garnered points for their teams. Other point-earning finishes by Bulls men's runners were junior Andy Leonard who finished fifth overall in 21:10, sophomore Dan Giza who took seventh with his 21:13 finish, junior Paul Riley who took ninth place with a 21:33 finish, and senior Matt Moynihan who placed 13th with his 21:49 run.

Other scorers for the Akron Zips were Craig Rupe in sixth place with a time of 21:12 and Scott Mate took eighth place with a 21:15 time.

Jen Jezorski was the highest placing Bull in the women's race. She finished in fourth place with her 19:06 run. Akron swept the top three places in the race including returning All-Mid-American Conference runner Beata Rudzinska's finish in the 5K course with an 18:33 showing. Brandi Schoeppner took second place with a time of 18:43 and Morgan Sulzener took third, completing the race in 18:56.

Four other Bulls scored for the women's squad. Sixth place was taken by sophomore Aleksandra Bykowska and her 19:28 finish. Seventh place belonged to freshman Mary Veith with a finish of 19:39. Kate Kohout finished the race in 20:03 to take eight and freshman Jessica O'Neill completed the race in 20:07 for ninth overall.

Other scorers for Akron's women's team included Rachel Zubricky in fifth place with a 19:21 finish and Holly Sumser in 10th place with a 20:22 completion.

Both cross country teams will have a chance to get back at the Akron Zips next Saturday at the Central Collegiate Meet in Toledo. The UB women's squad the Central Collegiate Meet last year, while the men finished third out of eight.