Oct. 13, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Junior Kristin Lubas (York, Pa.) placed fourth in the 5,000 meter race to lead the University of Maryland women's cross country team to a first place finish at the Maryland Invitational Saturday. The Maryland men's cross country team placed second in the 8,000 meter race, with sophomore Francis Ciganek (Chestertown, Md.) placing fifth and turning in the top individual time for the Maryland men.

Lubas completed the course in 19:45.06, improving upon her 2000 Maryland Invitational time by 1:05. Sophomore Lorna Dorland (Rockland, Maine) was the second-fastest runner for the Maryland women, completing her first race of the season in 19:49.71. Senior Monique Berry (Andover, Conn.) also improved since last year, finishing in sixth place with a time of 19:51.28, 57 seconds faster than in 2000.

In 26:35.39, Ciganek finished the 8K course, improving his 2000 Maryland Invitational time by 50 seconds. Other Maryland men running well Saturday include 14th place freshman Adam Ambrus (Shamong, N.J.) and 15th place freshman Mike Fleg (Clarksville, Md.), who finished with times of 27:22.95 and 27:24.94, respectively.

In at least two meets this year, both the men's and women's teams have had runners improve their 2000 times. Lubas has recorded lower times in every meet, while Ciganek has lowered his times in three.

The Terps' next meet will be the ACC Championships at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Maryland looks to break a 3-year ninth place finish streak.

TEAM SCORES (MEN)		TEAM SCORES (WOMEN)
1.  American		21	1.  MARYLAND		29
2   MARYLAND		67	2.  American		36
3.  George Washington	81	3.  Towson		114
4.  Howard		88	4.  George Washington	117
5.  Towson		126	5.  Johns Hopkins	130
6.  Johns Hopkins	153	6.  George Mason	145
7.  DC Track Club	N/A	7.  Howard		184
				8.  DC Track Club	N/A
				9.  Hampton		Did not compete