Sept. 15, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Senior Meghan Braffet ran well in her first cross country action of the season, finishing third individually in the women's race Saturday to lead the University of Maryland at the Navy Invitational cross country meet.

Braffet, a former ACC 10K champion for the Terrapins, covered the 6-kilometer distance in 22:05, finishing behind only Tarah McKay (21:52) and Emily Borsare (21:56) of Louisville. The Cardinals placed three runners in the top eight and six among the top 19 to claim the women's team title with 39 points, ahead of Richmond with 54 and Navy with 79.

The Maryland women finished sixth with 150 points. The Terrapins put three runners in a pack, as Kristen Reed (31st, 23:56), Angeli Sivaraman (36th, 24:11) and Kylynn McKinley (38th, 24:15) placed among the top 40. Maryland's final scorer was Amanda Robotti, who was 63rd in 25:38. Sarah Dawes was just behind her, placing 66th in 25:53.

On the men's side, Maryland also got sixth place, scoring 125 points, placing just 17 points behind fourth-place American and only 10 points behind Richmond for fifth.

The Terrapins' top finisher was freshman Alex Lundy, who covered the 8 kilometers in 22:55.4 to place 10th overall. Maryland put all five of its scorers in the top 40, with Greg Kelsey in 23rd (25:22.1), Ben Diestel just behind in 24th (25:26.2), Joe Simpson in 33rd (25:40.1), Kevin Gahr in 38th (25:46.6) and Richie Booth in 40th (25:47.9).

Other Maryland men in the field included Mike Cator (53rd, 26:09.5), Ryan Shon (54th, 26:10.5), Josh Davis (60th, 26:28.3) and Drew Abernathy (61st, 26:36.8).

Wesley Korir of Louisville was the individual winner, finishing in 23:30.0, earning the win over teammate Soimo Kiplagat by 30 seconds.

Louisville won the men's team event with 34 points, with Navy in second at 57 and La Salle in third with 95.

Maryland competes next on Sept. 29 at the George Mason Invitational.

WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Louisville 39, 2. Richmond 54, 3. Navy 79, 4. La Salle 127, 5. American 133, 6. Maryland 150, 7. Loyola 184, 8. UMBC 208, 9. Christopher Newport 216.

WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (Top 3 and Maryland finishers)
1.Tarah McKay, Louisville 21:52; 2. Emily Borsare, Louisville 21:56; 3. Meghan Braffet, Maryland, 22:05... 31. Kristen Reed, Maryland, 23:56; 36. Angeli Sivaraman, Maryland, 24:11; 38. Kylynn McKinley, Maryland, 24:15; 63. Amanda Robotti, Maryland, 25:38; 66. Sarah Dawes, Maryland, 25:53.

MEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Louisville 34, 2. Navy 57, 3. La Salle 95, 4. American 108, 5. Richmond 115, 6. Maryland 125, 7. Loyola 175, 8. UMBC 235, 9. George Mason 242, 10. Christopher Newport 309, 11. VCU 315.

MEN'S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Wesley Korir, Louisville, 23:30.0; 2. Soimo Kiplagat, Louisville, 24:00.3; 3. John Olsen, Navy, 24:01.2... 10. Alex Lundy, Maryland, 22:55.4; 23. Greg Kelsey, Maryland, 25:22.1; 24. Ben Diestel, Maryland, 25:26.2; 33. Joe Simpson, Maryland, 25:40.1; 38. Kevin Gahr, Maryland, 25:46.6; 40. Richie Booth, Maryland, 25:47.9; 53. Mike Cator, Maryland, 26:09.5; 54. Ryan Shon, Maryland, 26:10.5; 60. Josh Davis, Maryland, 26:28.3; 61. Drew Abernathy, Maryland, 26:36.8.