NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Led by sophomore Marc Striowski (Toronto, Ontario) the Notre Dame men’s cross country team placed first, while the women, led by freshman Jennifer Handley (Barrie Ontario), took second at the season-opening Valparaiso Invitational Saturday in Valparaiso, Ind.

The men placed five runners in the top 10 led by Striowski, who earned his first collegiate win with a time of 24:48.44 on the 8K course. Junior Sean McManus (third), sophomore Pat Conway (sixth), senior John Dudley (seventh) and freshman Antonio Lopez (ninth) rounded out the Irish runners placing in the top 10. Notre Dame won the overall team title with 26 points, while second-place Purdue had 72 (low score wins).

Handley won the women’s individual 5K race with a time of 18:00.27, but the Irish, who were without several of its top runners including All-American JoAnna Deeter, earned a runner-up finish behind meet winner Marquette. Other Notre Dame women’s runners to place in the top 15 included Erin Luby (sixth), Bridget O’Brien (10th), Chrissy Kuenster (11th), Muffy Schmidt (12th), Kari Eaton (13th) and Cara Motter (14th).

The Notre Dame cross country teams play host to the National Catholic Championships at Burke Golf Course for the 20th consecutive season on Friday, Sept. 17, beginning at 3:30 p.m. with the junior varsity race.

Valparaiso Invitational

Men's Race                    Women's Race1. Notre Dame                26       1. Marquette               212. Purdue                    72       2. Notre Dame              403. Western Michigan          77       3. Augustana               984. Marquette                 81       4. Valparaiso              995. Valparaiso               130       5. IUPUI                  1576. Danville Junior Colleg   160       6. Wisconsin-Green Bay    1727. Wisconsin-Green Bay      221       7. Chicago State          2158. IUPUI                    241   9. Cleveland State          254  

Notre Dame Individual Results

Women 1. Jennifer Handley, Notre Dame (18:00.27) 6. Erin Luby, Notre Dame (18:24.60)10. Bridget O'Brien, Notre Dame (18:42.04)11. Chrissy Kuenster, Notre Dame (18:48.29)12. Muffy Schmidt, Notre Dame (18:56.15)13. Kari Eaton, Notre Dame (18:59.82)14. Cara Motter, Notre Dame (19:08.04)16. Carolyn Buller, Notre Dame (19:27.45)17. Leanne Brady, Notre Dame (19:30.26)21. Diana Percival, Notre Dame (19:41.14)23. Jennifer Fibuch, Notre Dame (19:49.50)29. Maria Ochsner, Notre Dame (20:05.23)36. Brooke Jerdan, Notre Dame (20:29.50)37. Keri McCarthy, Notre Dame (20:37.4743. Anna Yates, Notre Dame (20:47.83)80. Susan Creary, Notre Dame (24:15.16)

Men 1.  Marc Striowski, Notre Dame (24.48.44) 3.  Sean McManus, Notre Dame (25:17.70) 6.  Pat Conway, Notre Dame (25.27.32) 7.  John Dudley, Notre Dame (25:27.52) 9.  Antonio Lopez, Notre Dame (25:39.23)14. Sean Zanderson, Notre Dame (25:58.45)15. Nathan Shay, Notre Dame (26:06.27)28. Patrick Ruder, Notre Dame (26:36.82)41. Kevin Brown, Notre Dame (27:29.88)