George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Mason Invitational
Seniors Step Up Leading Cross Country at George Mason
9/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 29, 2007
CENTREVILLE, VA - Seniors Mae Polhemus and Mark Drath both clocked Personal Records (PR) to lead the Colonials at the Mason Invitational at Bull Run Regional Park on Saturday morning. The senior duo led GW to a 3rd and 9th place finish for the women's and men's teams, respectively in the competitive 11 team field.
After a 20 minute delay to start the race, the women's race began, and Polhemus led the Colonials throughout the 6,000-meter (six-kilometer) course. Polhemus placed eighth out of 108 runners in a Personal Record 22:59.89. Her previous best was set back in October of 2005, when she ran a 23:35 at the Paul Short Invitational. Following Polhemus was freshman Jessica Stern, and sophomore Meaghan Smith, whom was nursing an injury. Stern finished 19th overall in 23:32.70, while Smith finished in 23:46.98, 27th overall. Rounding out the women's squad were freshman Laura Petrik (24:52.73, 41st overall) and senior Katie Walsh (25:29.24, 52nd overall), who also set a Personal Record.
A native of Los Angeles, CA, Drath displayed his knowledge of the course as he also carried the Colonials throughout the eight-kilometer course. The veteran clocked in at 26:35.59, 28th overall, breaking his previous personal-record by 37 seconds, which he also set at the Paul Short Invitational in October 2005. Junior Keith Moody, 39th overall, and sophomore Stephen Rutgers, 57th overall, PR'ed for the Colonials to round out the top three. Senior Christian Woodisde took fourth for GW in 65th place, and Andrew Zahornacky rounded out the scorers in 72nd place. Also competing were senior John Woodside and freshman Adam Mickley, who took 90th and 95th, respectively.
The Colonials will not have much rest and recovery time as they travel to Holmdel, NJ, to compete at the Monmouth Invitational on Friday, October 5. Holmdel Park, home of the Monmouth Cross Country team, is continually ranked in the Harrier Rankings as one of the toughest courses in the nation as it features a 1 1/2 mile uphill and a 400-meter climb at the start.
Men's Finisher's (times not official)
Mark Drath - 28th/123
Keith Moody - 39th/123
Stephen Rutgers - 57th/123
Christian Woodside - 65th/123
Andrew Zahornacky - 72nd/123
John Woodside - 90th/123
Adam Mickley - 95th/123
Women's Finishers
Mae Polhemus - 22:59.89, 8th/108
Jessica Stern - 23:32.70, 19th/108
Meaghan Smith - 23:46.98, 27th/108
Laura Petrik - 24:52.73, 41st/108
Katie Walsh - 25:29.24, 52nd/108
- GW -
