Sept. 9, 2000

The Notre Dame men’s and women’s cross country teams started the season off on the right foot with both teams taking first place in the Valparaiso Invitational, Friday, Sept. 8, in Valparaiso, Ind.

The women’s team dominated the field, finishing first, second, third, fifth and sixth for a score of 17 points. Western Michigan finished second in the women’s field with 45 points. Sophomore Jennifer Handley (Barrie, Ont.) won her second consecutive Valparaiso Invitational title, finishing first in 17:58. Junior Hilary Burn (Ottawa, Ont.) finished second in 18:16, followed by freshman Megan Johnson (Seattle, Wash.).

The men’s team also finished comfortably in first place, totalling 27 points. Junior Luke Watson (Stillwater, Minn.) finished first in 25:08, capturing his first individual cross country meet title at Notre Dame. Classmate Marc Striowski (Toronto, Ont.) took second place in 25:24.

Western Michigan finished second in the men’s race with 39 points.

Both Irish teams will return to action at the National Catholic Invitational at Notre Dame’s Burke Memorial Golf Course on Sept. 22.