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TOWSON, MD -- The University of Delaware men’s cross country team won the Towson Invitational while the Blue Hen women finished second at the meet as both squads opened their 2007 seasons Saturday morning at Oregon Ridge Park.

The Delaware men’s team won the 11-team men’s invitational by finishing with 26 points, ahead of Navy with 55 points and Salisbury with 86 points. Maryland-Eastern Shore finished fourth with 93 points, followed by Adelphi (159), Howard (181), Coppin State (188), Delaware State (216), Morgan State (253), Goldey-Beacom (267), and Bowie State (273).

P.J. Meany (at right) led the Blue Hens by finishing second in the five-mile course in 27:08, while teammate Nick Pyle placed third in 27:09. Kyle Schmid came in fourth place in 27:10, ahead of teammate Chris Bourke, who finished fifth in 27:14.

Phil Weigle was 12th for Delaware as he crossed the line in 27:42, just ahead of teammate Kevin Kemmerle, who placed 13th in 27:43. Alex Gambogi was 26th in 28:35, while Ryan Kaiser finished 27th in 28:42 and Tim Brock placed 28th in 28:47. Jimmy Daly finished in 31st place for the Blue Hens in 28:53, while Craig Lebro was 32nd in 28:57; Pete McBride was 33rd in 28:58, and Gregg Cantwell finished 39th in 29:36.

The Delaware women’s team placed second with 50 points in the 13-team women’s invitational, finishing only behind Towson with 43 points. Salisbury finished third with 97 points, ahead of Maryland-Eastern Shore (116), George Mason (167), Adelphi (168), Howard (186), Morgan State (217), Delaware State (244), Norfolk State (249), Villa Julie (269), Coppin State (312), and Anne Arundel Community College (381).

Cassie White paced the Blue Hen women by finishing fourth in the 5,000-meter course in 19:06, while Karen Mandrachia was seventh in 19:20. Julie Somers finished 11th in 19:28, while Annie Kowtoniuk was 13th in 19:39. Yianna Antonopoulos placed 15th in 19:47, just ahead of Christine Sloat, who was 16th in 19:57, and Isabel Graf, who came in 17th in 19:57.

Liz Paul finished 20th in 20:13, while Jen Watunya was 22nd in 20:20 and Sarah Vernon placed 23rd in 20:23. Kellyn Wright came in 26th in 20:29, while Lexi Ambrogi was 34th in 20:53. Tracey Powell finished 40th in 21:08, while Rachel Schaefer placed 41st in 21:11.

Other Delaware finishers included Michelle Kocher (57th/22:02), Julianne Twomey (61st/22:17), Lindsay Schmiedel (66th/22:52), Stephanie LaFergola (67th/22:57), and Amanda McGowan (69th/23:19).

Eric Graves of Salisbury won the men’s race with a time of 26:45, while Katie Ogden of Towson captured the women’s race in 18:47.

Both Blue Hen teams return to action Saturday, September 15 when they host the first Delaware Invitational.

AGATE

Towson Invitational Men’s Results: 1.Delaware - 26; 2. Navy - 55; 3. Salisbury - 86; 4. Maryland-Eastern Shore - 93; 5. Adelphi - 159; 6. Howard - 181; 7. Coppin State - 188; 8. Delaware State - 216; 9. Morgan State - 253; 10. Goldey-Beacom - 267; 11. Bowie State - 273.

Top Ten Finishers: 1. Eric Graves (Salisbury), 26:45; 2. P.J. Meany (Delaware), 27:08; 3. Nick Pyle (Delaware), 27:09; 4. Kyle Schmid (Delaware), 27:10; 5. Chris Bourke (Delaware), 27:14; 6. Patrick Quinn (Navy), 27:24; 7. Peter Sang (UMES), 27:25; 8. Matthew Devillers (Navy), 27:25; 9. Solomon Kirongo (UMES); 10. Anthony Littlejohn (Coppin State), 27:37.

Other Delaware Finishers: 12. Phil Weigel, 27:42; 13. Kevin Kemmerle, 27:43; 26. Alex Gambogi, 28:35; 27. Ryan Kaiser, 28:42; 28. Tim Brock, 28:47; 31. Jimmy Daly, 28:53; 32. Craig Lebro, 28:57; 33. Pete McBride, 28:58; 39. Gregg Cantwell, 29:36.

Meet Results