HARRIERS POINT TO GREAT LAKES REGIONAL (by U.Akron Sports Information, form Weekly Release 10/31/00)
The 2000 Mid-American Conference cross country championships in Schoolcraft, Mich., last Saturday were a mixed
bag for coach Scott Jones' two teams.

The Zip men placed eighth and in doing so topped four conference opponents: Marshall, Buffalo, Ohio and Toledo.
Akron has placed eighth five of the last six seasons. Senior ace Rob Murray (Akron/Firestone), hoping for a top-12
All-MAC finish, wound up 19th. Eastern Michigan ran away with the men's title, placing five runners in the top 15.

The Zip women were the defending champs and had their eye on a repeat. But in a field crowded with talent, Akron
slipped to sixth. Central Michigan (78) nipped Ball State (79) by one point for the women's crown.

Junior Bobbie Hardbarger (Newark/Utica) crossed the line sixth, covering the 5,000-meter course in 17:35. She
earned All-MAC notice. Juniors Michelle Rizzo (Painesville/Perry) and Jaime Alton (Mentor) checked in at 27th and
28th, respectively. The Zips (139) nudged Ohio (141) for sixth place. Kent placed fifth (137). A year ago, Akron had
four runners finish in the top 20, includng an individual champion in Rizzo.

The Zips are off this weekend and will compete next at the Great Lakes Regional, Sunday, Nov. 12, in Ypsilanti, Mich.

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