University of Richmond
Spider Alumni Open
Ruskan, Lee Lead Richmond At Spider Alumni Open
08/30/2014 | Cross Country
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – The University of Richmond cross country teams got the 2014 season underway on Friday with the Spider Alumni Open at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Va.
The Richmond women's team took second place, falling just two points shy of William & Mary in the four-team field. The Spider men also took second to the Tribe out of three teams running on a beautiful night in Mechanicsville.
“I thought it went well,” Richmond coach Lori Taylor said of the women's team effort. “The shoes on, the spikes on for the first time and seeing what everyone is made of as far as racing goes. We've got such a large group of freshmen, they've been working really hard. I think we had some people that were a little nervous out there, but as the race went on I was really pleased with how it developed and how they really came on as the race went on and as it came to the finish.”
Sophomore Marisa Ruskan was the top finisher for the Spiders in the two-mile race, placing third overall with a time of 11:02. Freshman Kaelyn Heinicke had a nice first collegiate race, coming in fourth overall with a time of 11:03.
Freshman Courtney Thompson placed sixth overall in 11:17, followed by her classmate Amanda Corbosiero, in seventh place in a time of 11:20. Rounding out the scoring for the Spiders was senior Taylor Clevinger who placed ninth in a time of 11:25.
Freshman Shelby Cain ended her first collegiate race with a time of 11:33 to place 10th, while classmate Sasha Tory came in 14th with a time of 11:41.
“I'm really excited about how they finished and how they raced,” Taylor remarked following the race. “It's a great start, it's early in the season and we've got a lot of hard work ahead of us as far as training goes and as far as pulling the team together and learning to race well together. We've got big goals for ourselves this season and so I'm very pleased with how they raced today. “
For the Spider men's team, senior Ryan Lee was the top finisher, coming in fifth place overall with a time of 15:11 in the 5k race. Junior Jordan Chavez was right behind Lee, coming in sixth place in a time of 15:19.
Junior Matt McKenna finished the race in a time of 15:23 to come in eighth place overall, while classmate Tim Gruber was ninth with a time of 15:27. Rounding out the scoring for the Spiders was junior Justin Keefe, placing 14th with a time of 15:41.
“We had a good kickoff for the season for the men,” Richmond coach Steve Taylor said of the UR men. “Ryan Lee and Jordan Chavez ran real well for us, particularly closing well over that last 1,000 meters. Matt KcKenna, as well, ran really well today. And really Tim Gruber is coming off of a study abroad program and this is the first race he's had in about a year, so we're excited to see him up in there as our number four runner today.”
Senior Matthew Groff placed 15th overall with a time of 15:43, while fellow senior Andrew Valenski came in 19th with a time of 16:08.
“All in all we're excited about it,” Taylor said. “I think we certainly have some work to do but overall it's a good day, a good start, and we were running in good groups out there as a team and we just expect it to get better.”
The Richmond Spider cross country teams will be back in action on Saturday, September 13 when the teams run in the Navy Invitational in Annapolis, Md.
For all the latest news and coverage on Richmond Cross Country, be sure to go to RichmondSpiders.com.
More in-depth coverage can be found by following head coach Steve Taylor on Twitter and by reading his blog. The Spiders also have their own Facebook and Instagram pages and have also launched their own YouTube Channel.
Players Mentioned
