Huskers Capture Season-Opening Titles at Creighton/UNO Invitational

Omaha, Neb. -- The Nebraska men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2003 season in high style, as each earned a team title at the Creighton/UNO Invitational Saturday at Chalcos Hills in Omaha. The NU women took the all-division title, scoring just 36 points, compared to runner-up Nebraska-Omaha's 38. The Husker men also scraped out a victory by scoring 28 points, just ahead of second-place Drake's 31.

"This meet really served a lot of functions, but our main goal was to get the younger kids a chance to race at this distance and see the difference between this and high school (running)," said NU head coach Jay Dirksen. "It's a good chance to get the kids a feel for running this length meet in a low-key environment. It should build confidence as they should be thinking that the team will be getting even better when everyone starts running."

Nebraska runners earned the top finishes in both races, as senior Ann Gaffigan won the women's 5k race in 19:06.07 while Dana Carne took the title in the men's 8k event in 27:33.82. It was the second career title for Gaffigan, who also won the 2001 Woody Greeno/Nebraska Invitational, and her 10th all-time top 10 finish. For Carne, it was also his second career title after winning the Bearcat Distance Classic (6k) in his first career event in 2001. Carne then redshirted the 2002 season.

On the women's side, Gaffigan led the way while NU junior Kayte Tranel added a second-place finish in 19:19.61. Redshirt-freshman Lindsey Finkner (7th; 20:26.75) and freshman Farah Jadran (10th; 21:00.71) added top-10 finishes and sophomore Michaela Lenihan rounded out the Huskers' scoring, placing 16th in 21:24.88.

Carne's first-place finish on the men's side marked the second straight season NU topped the field at this meet, as senior Kyle Doperalski, who did not compete this weekend, won the event in 2002. Along with Carne, junior Tim Williams added a second straight top-5 finish at the meet, placing fourth this year in 27:57.54. Nebraska also added top-10 finishes by freshman Alec Maduza (5th; 28:02.40), sophomore Eric Dall (8th; 28.24.84) and freshman Bryce Dickmeyer (10th; 28:43.96). Another freshman, Mike Dorazil, completed the NU lineup, finishing in 14th place in 29:52.73.

Nebraska returns to action in two weeks, when it plays co-host to the Woody Greeno/Nebraska Invitational, along with Nebraska Wesleyan. The meet will take place at Pioneers Park starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Creighton/UNO Invitational
Sept. 6, 2003 ? Men's & Women's Cross Country Results Chalco Hills Recreation area ? Omaha, Neb.

Women's Team Scores
1. Nebraska 36
2. Nebraska-Omaha 38
3. Creighton 60
4. Drake 82
5. Hastings 115

Name, School, Time
1. Ann Gaffigan, NU, 19:06.7
2. Kayte Tranel, NU, 19:19.61
3. Des Campbell, UNO, 19:50.72
4. Angela Fisher, CU, 19:57.35
5. Sarah Zeisler, UNO, 20:17.78

Other NU finishers:
7. Lindsey Finkner, 20:26.75
10. Farah Jadran, 21:00.71
16. Michaela Lenihan, 21:24.88

Men's Team Scores
1. Nebraska 28
2. Drake 31
3. Hastings 80
4. Creighton 91

Name School Time
1. Dana Carne, NU, 27:33.82
2. Daniel Martin, DU, 27:49.11
3. Nick Cooper, DU, 27:55.89
4. Tim Williams, NU, 27:57.54
5. Alec Maduza, NU, 28:02.40

Other NU finishers:
8. Eric Dall, 28:24.84
10. Bryce Dickmeyer, 28:43.96
14. Mike Dorazil, 29:52.72