Sept. 13, 2008

Dickman, Witmer Lead Squads at Spike Shoe Invitational

    University Park, Pa. -- The Youngstown State men's cross country squad finished eighth and the women took 11th at the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational on Saturday.
    Junior Justin Dickman finished in 28th with a 5.2-mile time of 27:40 to lead the men's squad. Sophomore Kayla Witmer led the women's team placing 30th with a 6K time of 23:28.

    Finishing second for the men was sophomore Jake Lape, who finished in 47th with a time of 28:44. Senior John Sheppard ran a time of 29:16, which was good for 55th, and sophomore Joe Copploe finished 60th with a time of 29:23. Rounding out the scoring five was Scott Denham's 65th-place time of 29:49.
    Dan Nemergut finished in 69th after running a 30:15, and sophomore Rick Lape finished the event in 78th with a time of 30:37.
    For the women behind Witmer was junior Lauren Blase, whose 24:24 was good for 54th. Freshman Liz Shivers finished 76th with a 25:25, junior Jen Roman finished with a 26:33 which that her in 91st, and sophomore Kelcie Witmer finished 93rd with a time of 26:39. One spot behind Witmer in 94th was freshman Jocelyn Steiner with a time of 26:40.
    Both squads will return to action on Oct. 3 at the Notre Dame Asics Invitational in South Bend, Ind.