Sept. 16, 2002

The George Mason University men's and women's cross country teams opened their 2002 season last week at joint meets held by the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. The women's team placed 10th out of 12 teams, while the men's squad was 15th of 15. Navy claimed the win in both the men's and women's meets.

Sophomore Sara Hines (Strasburg, VA/Strasburg) led the Patriot women, finishing the 5,000-meter course in 20 minutes, 32.44 seconds (20:32.44) to place a team-high 49th. Senior Michelle DiPenti (Warren, PA/Warren Area) covered the course in 20:33.70 to place 51st. Also finishing in the top half was sophomore Ryann Holmes (Largo, MD/Largo), placing 59th in 20:45.38.

Junior Ben Sommers (Nashua, NH/Nashua) led the men's team on the 8,000-meter course to finish 71st in 27:43.10. Less than a minute behind him was freshman Dennis Moriarty (Rockville Centre, NY/Southside), placing 94th in 28:33.61.

Both Patriot cross country teams return to action this Saturday, Sept. 21, at the James Madison Invitational in Harrisonburg, VA.

Women's Results (5,000 meters):
Sara Hines, 49, 20:32.44
Michelle DiPenti, 51, 20:33.70
Ryann Holmes, 59, 20:45.38
Meghan Millar, 115, 22:38.59
Rose Moeser, 123, 23:19.86
Zulia Thomas, 125, 23:32.55

Men's Results (8,000 meters):
Ben Sommers, 71, 27:43.10
Dennis Moriarty, 94, 28:33.61
Arjun Dabir, 109. 29:16.26
Lawrence Strauss, 115, 30:09.02
Kevin Nishiyama, 122, 30:49.35