CC Weekly

1999 MAC Champions

Past Stories: 10/30/99 10/17/99 10/10/99 10/2/99 9/18/99 9/11/99 Michelle Rizzo	NCAA Championships Bloomington, IN November 22, 1999 See Picture of Start Michelle Rizzo NCAA Championships. Star Beacon Story Gozips.com Story Rizzo Earns All American Honors Running in her first NCAA Championship, Michelle Rizzo became Akron's first-ever cross country All American. In 1992 Judy Ervin qualified for the national championship meet, ironically also held in Bloomington, IN, but her 76th-place finish did not earn her All American status. However, seven years later Rizzo travelled to Indiana and overcame the challenges posed by a difficult course and an impressive field of runners, and, by virtue of placing among the top 30 Americans (27th American, 38th overall) Rizzo returned to Akron with that prestigious honor. Although her 1km split time was fast (3:25) Michelle was buried in the middle of the 254 runner field. Moving up steadily throughout the race, she was in about 70th place midway through the race. In a series of rolling hills Michelle made her big move, passing about 30 women, and then kicked strongly to finish in 17:31. The race was won by Wisconsin's Erica Palmer, who 9 days earlier had captured the individual title at the Great Lakes Regional meet. The team title went to Brigham Young whose 72 points easily outdistanced the second-place Arkansas squad (125). Other MAC competitors were Ohio's Melissa Converse (17:33,43rd), Eastern Michigan's Domtila Mwei (17:50, 77th), and Miami's Kristen Fryburg (18:05, 111th).

Akron at MAC Championships
Kent, OH October 30, 1999

A gorgeous sunny day was made unforgettable by the Akron women's cross country team. Overcoming a history of last-place finishes, individual champion Michelle Rizzo led the team to its first-ever MAC cross country title. The Zips, with 78 points, overcame strong challenges from Miami (96) and Kent (100). Although the final margin was comfortable, the outcome of the meet was in doubt until the final few meters of the race.

Like the team battle, the individual championship came down to the final sprint between Rizzo and pre-meet favorite, Domtilla Mwei of Eastern Michigan. In the last 400m the lead was exchanged between the two several times, with neither runner able to gain a significant advantage. However, in the final 10m of the race Rizzo willed herself to a small, but decisive lead. Rizzo's victory was the first by an Akron athlete at the cross country championships.

Kent took command of the race early and at the 2-mile mark had four runners ahead of Gigi Dostal, Akron's second runner. With 800m to go the score was dead even between Akron and Kent (86-86); however, Akron emerged victorious in the little battles at the end of the race. Dostal passed all of the Kent runners to finish in 11th place and earn All-MAC honors, while Bobbie Hardbarger and Laura Jones finished strongly to place 15th and 16th respectively (In 1998 Jones was 77th at the MAC Championships!). Eva Horvat completed the Akron scoring with a 35th-place finish. Akron's next two finishers, Carrie Schlauch (43rd) and Jen Moore (49th) placed in the top half of the meet and Akron's eighth runner, Jaime Alton (66th), would have been among the top-five of four schools.
The Akron men fell short of their goal of an upper-division finish, ending up 8th. Both Mickey Andrade (18th) and Rob Murray (20th) placed in the top 20. Luke Dostal improved upon his 1998 placing, moving from 75th to 58th. Paul Robinette, running his first race since injuring his knee at the Michigan Interregional meet was 72nd and was closely followed by Jake Magier (73rd) and Josh Coleman (74th).

The Zips will next compete on Saturday, November 13 at the Great Lakes Regional Championships in Terre Haute, IN.
***
Women's 5,000m Race
Team Results
1. AKRON (78)
2. Miami (96)
3. Kent (100)
4. Central Michigan (111)
5. Western Michigan (131)
6. Ohio (147)
7. Eastern Michigan (158)
8. Toledo (186)
1. Ball State (193)
2. Bowling Green (195)
3. Buffalo (280)
4. Marshall (345)
13. Northern Illinois (367)
Individual Results
1. Rizzo (Akron) 17:22
2. Mwei (EMU) 17:22
3. Shook (Miami) 17:27
4. Fryburg (Miami) 17:29
5. Conrad (Ohio) 17:32
6. Kadziolka (BSU) 17:42
7. Converse (Ohio) 17:43
8. DeBruyn (EMU) 17:43
9. Pullen (CMU) 17:44
10. Smyth (Toledo) 17:48
Other Akron finishers:
11. Dostal, 17:53; 15. Hardbarger, 18:02;
16. Jones, 18:06; 35. Horvat, 18:33;
43. Schlauch, 18:41; 49. Moore, 18:49;
66. Alton, 19:14.
Men's 8000m Race
Race
Team Results
1. Central Michigan (37)
2. Miami (75)
3. Western Michigan (95)
4. Eastern Michigan (125)
5. Kent (135)
6. Marshall (193)
7. Ohio (204)
8. AKRON (229)
1. Buffalo (233)
2. Ball State (238)
3. Bowling Green (243)
4. Toledo (314)
Akron finishers:
18. Andrade, 25:31; 20. Murray, 25:36;
58. Dostal, 26:53; 72. Robinette, 27:25;
73. Magier, 27:34; 74. Coleman, 27:35;
89. O'Bryan, 29:28.

Akron at Wolverine Interregional
Ann Arbor, MI 
October 17, 1999

Boosted by Michelle Rizzo's 5th place finish, the Akron women placed among the top 10 teams at the competitive Wolverine Interregional. Washington (ranked 9th in the country) won the team competition and 25th-ranked Nebraska was second.
Competing on a challenging course, Rizzo's time of 17:53 placed her ahead of a who's-who of collegiate distance running, including the top runners from powerhouses such as Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, Montana State, Columbia, Purdue and conference rivals Kent and Ohio. Finishing second for Akron was Gigi Dostal, whose strong finish brought her home in 31st place (18:41). Laura Jones continued her string of strong performances with a 39th-place finish (18:48). She was followed in the top five by Bobbie Hardbarger (53rd, 19:09), Carrie Schlauch (61st, 19:18). Both Eva Horvat (62nd, 19:19) and Jen Moore (73rd, 19:41) had strong races to round out the Zips' top 7. Also competing for Akron was sophomore Jaime Alton (95th, 20:56).
The men's race was less happy. Illness to number one runner Mickey Andrade and a pre-race injury to third runner Paul Robinette prevented the Zips from fielding a complete team. Rob Murray overcame the circumstances to post a fine 37th-place finish with a time of 25:59.
The Zips will next compete on Saturday, October 30 at the MAC Championships in Kent, OH. The men's race will start at 10:00 AM, with the women's race to follow at 11:00 AM.
***
Women's 5,000m Race
Team Results
1. Washington (49)
2. Nebraska (89)
3. James Madison (112)
4. Montana State (139)
5. Michigan (144)
6. Columbia (174)
7. Purdue (176)
8. Akron (186)
9. Kent (199)
10. Ohio (215)
11. Bradley (297)
12. Tennessee (330)
Individual Results
1. Hanscom (JMU) 17:30
2. Schindler (Washington) 17:39
3. Hill (Bradley) 17:47
4. Aoki (Washington) 17:51
5. Rizzo (Akron) 17:53
6. Eigel (JMU) 17:54
7. Campbell (Washington) 17:55
8. Ouellett (Michigan) 17:57
9. Brooks (Nebraska) 17:58
10. Pauli (Nebraska) 18:04
Other Akron finishers:
31. Dostal, 18:41; 39. Jones, 18:48;
53. Hardbarger, 19:09; 61. Schlauch, 19:18;
62. Horvat, 19:19; 73. Moore, 19:41;
95. Alton, 20:56.
Men's 8000m Race
Akron finishers:
37. Murray, 25:59; 85. Dostal, 27:55;
86. Magier, 28:08; 88. Weger, 28:27.

Akron at All Ohio Championships
Delaware, OH 
October 8, 1999

Men and Women Finish in Top 10

For the first time in the 1990's the University of Akron's men's and women's cross country teams both placed among the top 10 schools at the All Ohio Championships. The women placed a highest ever 4th, while the men placed 9th. For the women there were 40 scoring teams and 267 finishers and for the men 256 runners completed the 8000m course for the 38 teams.
Once again leading the way for the women was Michelle Rizzo with an outstanding 5th-place finish. Finishing just behind Rizzo in the 13th place was Laura Jones, who improved an astronomical 120 places from the 1998 race. Also earning All Ohio honors was Gigi Dostal in 18th place. Rounding out the Zips' top five were Bobbie Hardbarger (24th) and Eva Horvat (61st). Eva continues her strong comeback from an early season illness. Also competing in the varsity race were Carrie Schlauch (77th) and Jen Moore (92nd). In the women's open race Jaime Alton finished a competitive 8th with a time which would have placed her 89th in the varsity race.
The men placed two runners in the top 20, Mickey Andrade finished 12th and Rob Murray 19th. Freshman Paul Robinette continued his strong season with a 56th-place finish and Luke Dostal had his best performance of the season and placed 71st. Adam Weger (119th) and Jacob Magier (197th) were the other Zip finishers.
The Zips will next compete on Sunday, October 17 at the Wolverine Interregional in Ann Arbor, MI.
***

Women's 5,000m Race
Team Results
1. Kent (72)
2. Cincinnati (108)
3. Toledo (115)
4. Akron (121)
5. Ohio (152)
6. Malone (156)
7. Miami (191)
8. Ohio St. (196)
9. Bowling Green. (206)
10. Youngstown St. (271)
Individual Results
1. Jerotich (Malone) 18:36
2. Converse (Ohio) 18:37
3. Smyth (Toledo) 18:37
4. Claypool (Kent) 18:41
5. Rizzo (Akron) 18:43
6. Hensley (Kent) 18:43
7. Fryburg (Miami) 18:45
8. Kist (Cincinnati) 18:48
9. Schulist 18:51
10. Loroupe (Toledo) 18:57
Other Akron finishers:
13. Jones, 19:05; 18. Dostal, 19:12;
24. Hardbarger, 19:20; 61. Horvat, 20:09;
77. Schlauch, 20:27; 92. Moore, 20:39;
Open Race:
8. Alton, 20:38; 85. Meder, 22:46;
162. Milec, 22:01.
Men's 8000m Race
Team Results
1. Ohio State (48)
2. Malone (69)
3. Miami (81)
4. Cincinnati (150)
5. Kent (157)
6. Ashland (190)
7. Youngstown (208)
8. Heidelberg (268)
9. Akron (277)
10. Bowling Green (313)
Akron finishers:
12. Andrade, 26:19; 19. Murray, 26:50;
56. Robinette, 27:13; 71. Dostal, 27:21;
119. Weger, 27:49, 197. Magier, 28:24.

#Sept 11, Weekly

Akron at Pre-MAC Invitational
Kent, OH 
September 17, 1999

Winning can be habit forming. Following up on last week's victory at the Tommy Evans Invitational, Akron faced some stiff competition at the Pre-MAC Invitational hosted by Kent State. Racing against seven other Mid-American Conference schools, including pre-season favorite and perennial power, Ohio, and the pre-season runner-up selection, Kent, the Zip women again emerged victorious by placing four women in the top 10. Leading the way for Akron was Michelle Rizzo in 6th with a time of 18:15. She was followed closely by Gigi Dostal (7th 18:22), Laura Jones (8th, 18:24 PR), and Bobbie Hardbarger (10th, 18:30). Rounding out the top five was Carrie Schlauch in 21st with a time of 18:58.
Strong showings by Mickey Andrade (4th, 25:26 PR) and Rob Murray (5th, 25:28 PR) highlighted the men's race. Picked to place 9th in the MAC in a pre-season poll, Akron defeated conference rivals Ohio, Marshall, and Buffalo and fell narrowly to preseason #5 pick Kent. Freshman Paul Robinette continued to impress, with his personal best 26:26 good for 26th overall. The Zip top five was rounded out by Luke Dostal (33rd, 26:55) and Josh Coleman (39th, 27:18).
On October 2 the Zips travel to Athens, OH to compete in the McDonalds Invitational.
***
Women's 5,000m Race
Team Results
1. Akron (52)
2. Kent (55)
3. Ohio (72)
4. Central Michigan (83)
5. Western Michigan (85)
6. Buffalo (159)
7. Northern Illinois (219)
8. Marshall (220)
Individual Results
1. Conrad (Ohio) 17:55
2. Converse (Ohio) 17:57
3. Claypool (Kent) 17:59
4. Lorenz (WMU) 18:13
5. Hensley (Kent) 18:14
6. Rizzo (Akron) 18:15
7. Dostal (Akron) 18:22
8. Jones (Akron) 18:24 PR
9. Pullen (CMU) 18:28
10. Hardbarger (Akron) 18:30
Other Akron finishers:
21. Schlauch, 18:58; 44. Alton, 19:49 PR;
46. Moore,19:54, 73. Milec, 21:47 PR,
74. Meder, 21:50
Men's 8000m Race
Team Results
1. Central Michigan (51)
2. Western Michigan (54)
3. Kent (102)
4. Akron (105)
5. Ohio (121)
6. Marshall (123)
7. Buffalo (138)

Individual Results
1. Sherck (WMU) 25:02
2. Cave (Ohio) 25:20
3. David (Buffalo) 25:22
4. Andrade (Akron) 25:26 PR
5. Murray (Akron) 25:28 PR
6. Kelly (Kent) 25:30
7. Humphrey (CMU) 25:33
8. Newkirk (WMU) 25:34
9. Bauer (CMU) 25:35
10. Davis (CMU) 25:38
Other Akron finishers:
26. Robinette, 26:26; 33. Dostal, 26:55;
39. Coleman, 27:18; 40. Magier, 27:23;
44. Weger, 27:36; 57. Kramer, 30:19;
58. O'Bryan, 30:26

Akron at Tommy Evans Invitational
Akron, OH September 11, 1999
Course Records, Opponents Fall to Zips

Zip harriers captured individual and team victories in both the men's and women's races at the 31st Annual Tommy Evans Invitational hosted by the University of Akron.
The 1-2 punch of Mickey Andrade and Rob Murray lead the men's team to a comfortable victory over Youngstown State and Dayton. Both Andrade and Murray bettered the existing course record on the challenging 5 mile loop. Andrade's winning time of 26:42 was 22 seconds better than the course record set last year by Virginia Tech's Chris Seaton, while Murray's runnerup time of 27:01 was 3 seconds faster than last year's winner. Freshmen Paul Robinette competed very well to place 5th, and Luke Dostal (8th) also boasted a top ten finish.
In the women's race sophomore Michelle Rizzo victory and course record duplicated her achievement from her freshman year. Michelle's time of 18:31 was 26 seconds faster than last year's performance and put her 11 seconds ahead of runnerup Sarah Hensley from Kent. Despite running without two of last year's top four runners, the Zips showed good depth with Gigi Dostal, Laura Jones, and Bobbie Hardbarger placing 4-6 respectively. Also placing in the top ten was graduate student Carrie Schlauch (10th). Jones' time of 19:13 was 1:46 better than last year's effort on the challenging Goodyear Park course.
On the women's side, the Zips look to welcome returners Eva Horvat (stomach virus) and Jen Moore (knee) back to action soon.
On September 17 the Zips travel to Kent, OH to compete in the Kent Fall Classic.
***
Men's 5M Race
Team Results
1. Akron (27)
2. YSU (44)
3. Dayton (54)

Individual Results
1. Andrade (Akron) 26:42
2. Murray (Akron) 27:01
3. Moroney (Dayton) 27:24
4. Tatarka (YSU) 27:48
5. Robinette (Akron) 27:51
6. Michaelis, (YSU) 28:03
7. Baker, (Dayton) 28:06
8. Dostal (Akron) 28:11
9. Laraway, (YSU) 28:18
10. Orcena, (YSU) 28:35
Other Akron finishers:
11. Weger, 28:35; 13. Coleman, 28:57;
21. Kramer, 32:57

Women's 5,000m Race
Team Results
1. Akron (26)
2. Kent (49)
3. Dayton (69)
4. YSU (73)
5. Cleveland State (incomplete team)
Individual Results
1. Rizzo (Akron) 18:31
2. Hensley (Kent) 18:42
3. T. Storage (Dayton) 19:00
4. Dostal (Akron) 19:08
5. Jones (Akron) 19:13
6. Hardbarger (Akron) 19:18
7. K. Storage (Dayton) 19:23
8. Cohol (YSU) 19:33
9. DiNapoli (Kent) 19:37
10. Schlauch (Akron) 19:50

Other Akron finishers:
16. Alton, 20:46; 34. Meder, 22:25;
46. Milec, 23:46