Cassie Ficken took the Clemson Invitational title |
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Both Cross Country Teams Take Second At Clemson Invitational
Sept. 10, 2005
Clemson, S.C. - Senior Cassie Ficken captured her second event title in as many meets, winning the Clemson Invitational on Saturday morning. She led the Charlotte 49ers women's team to a second-place finish at the 5K event, behind only No. 22 Georgia.
In the men's 8K race, Charlotte finished second behind Clemson as sophomore Ryan Jank led the way with a fourth-place overall finish.
Time results were not available from Clemson as of late Saturday night.
"Both men and women ran solid, yet we have much room for improvement on both squads," said cross country coach Brad Herbster.
The Niners women's team scored 41 points, while No. 22 Georgia, the FinishLynx preseason No. 2 ranked team in the South Region, finished with 27 to take the title.
Ficken won the women's race, her first 5K of the season, ahead of Georgia junior Jill Steffens. But the Lady Bulldogs put six runners in the top 11 to take the team title, including the third- and fourth-place finishers.
"Cassie winning her first collegiate race (after red shirting last year) is a great step toward her season goals," said Herbster. "Cassie ran a smart race and I think that others in today's race underestimated her talent.
"Aja Jackson really stepped up," continued Herbster, "as did Stephanie Snyder on the women's team. Both ran huge personal records, and both will become better and better as the season progresses."
The Charlotte women beat out Clemson, South Carolina, Furman, UNC Asheville, Western Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Mars Hill, Wofford and South Carolina State.
On the men's side, Charlotte tallied 50 points to finish seven back of host Clemson, which had been receiving votes in the Mondo national poll. The 49ers also beat out No. 30 Georgia (70 points), which was a NCAA national qualifying team a year ago.
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"We had a strong pack up front early in the men's race and we must learn to keep that group together to accomplish the goals of the season. Both men's and women's teams need to race with the confidence that they show in practice.
"Adu Dentamo and Ryan Jank both ran very smart races," said Herbster. "Adu, in his first 8K ever, runs just 14 seconds off of our top finisher (Jank). Ryan really did a great job leading the team today."
Also finishing behind the 49ers men's team were Western Carolina, Furman, UNC Asheville, Gardner-Webb, Mars Hill, Morehouse, South Carolina State, and Wofford.
Both of the 49ers teams captured the titles at the Charlotte Relay last weekend. The teams are off next weekend before heading to Cary, N.C. for the Great American Cross Country Festival on Sept. 24.
