October 27, 2004

Zips Ready for MAC Championships

This weekend the Akron cross country teams travel to Toledo, Ohio for the MAC Cross Country Championships. In the pre-season coaches' poll the Akron women were picked second and the men sixth. The women are banking on strong performances from the front four led by All-MAC runner Morgan Sulzener and supported by Beata Rudzinska, Jennie Castle, and Brandi Schoeppner. They will be supported by the talented group of Rachel Zubricky, Becki Michael, Emily Freudenrich, and Gina DiAntonio. All but freshman DiAntonio scored in a MAC track & field championship individual event last year.

The men will be relying on depth to lead them to success. David Howard, David Pykare, and Chris Perun have all assumed the role of number one runner at times this season, with Adam Bray, Jeff Swartzel, Scott Mate, and Craig Rupe joining them in the top five.

Five years ago, on October 30, 1999, Michelle Rizzo (now Michelle Wardle) became the first Akron runner to capture an individual cross country title. In doing so she helped the women's team to their only team championship. Gigi Dostal (11th) joined Rizzo on the All-MAC Cross Country Team. Also scoring were Bobbie Hardbarger (15th), Laura Jones (16th), and Eva Horvat (34th). The Zips totaled 78 points to turn back Miami (96 points) and Kent State (100 points).

In 1999 Michelle Rizzo (1) was the MAC cross country champion and an All-American.