Sept. 29, 2001

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – (9-29-01) The University of Notre Dame men’s and women’s cross country “B” teams competed in the Central Collegiate Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Saturday, and posted an impressive finish without entering most of both team’s top runners. The Irish men’s team, without the benefit of three All-Americans who are usually in the lineup, displayed its talented depth by easily winning the meet with seven top-10 finishes in the 8,000 meter race.

The meet was billed as a chance for the fourth-ranked men’s team to establish its seventh and eighth runners as they enter championship season, but with Saturday’s performance, that choice will not be any easier for head coach Joe Piane. Junior John Keane (Winona, Minn.) led the Irish to the team victory with a second-place finish, just two seconds behind individual champion Tim Morehouse from Western Michigan.

Senior Sean Zanderson (Poway, Calif.) and sophomore Kevin Somok (Southburg, Conn.) were right on the heels of their teammate, finishing in third and fourth place, respectively.

Not far behind Zanderson and Somok was the rest of the Irish pack, led by freshman Ryan Johnson (Auburn, Ind.) in sixth, junior Nathan Shay (Central Lake, Mich.) in seventh and sophomore Kevin Avenius (Novi, Mich.) in ninth place.

Freshman Eric Morrison (Toronto, Ontario) and senior Tom Lennon (Hohokus, NJ) completed the Irish field by taking 10th and 13th place. Notre Dame’s team point total of 22 easily distanced Western Michigan in second place with 37. Ohio (88), Wisconsin-Milwaukee (115) and Detroit Mercy (134) completed the field.

In the women’s race, the Irish once again ran without most their top runners and took fourth place. Senior captain Hilary Burn (Ottawa, Ontario), one of the “A” team’s top eight runners, finished first on the team in 11th place. Sophomore Megan Peterson (Fairfield, Conn.) placed 18th and classmate Rachel Endress (Wheaton, Ill.) crossed the finish line in 21st to round out the top three Irish runners. The women’s team point total of 95 finished behind Ohio (43), Western Michigan (51), Eastern Michigan (84) and ahead of Detroit Mercy (98).

Both teams will be back to full strength next weekend at home, as the Irish host the 2001 Notre Dame Invitational at the Notre Dame Golf Course (west side of campus next to SR 933). First race is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.