CARBONDALE, Ill. - Senior Jessica Crowder won her third race of the year as the Indiana State women’s cross country team placed first at the Saluki Invitational on Saturday morning.
For Crowder, it was her second straight win and third overall. She beat the next closest competitor, Amanda Bell of Louisville, by 27 seconds with a time of 18:02. The Sycamores placed five runners in the top nine to win the meet with 28 points. ISU beat out fellow Missouri Valley Conference members Southern Illinois and Bradley.
Sophomore Sarah Jarvis led a trio of Sycamores that finished 5-6-7. Jarvis was fifth with a time of 18:53, followed by junior Carolyn Chase (19:03) and freshman Maile Venable (19:13). Senior Amber Bucci took ninth with a mark of 19:17.
“Jessica ran with a pack of three or four but powered away and won quite comfortably,” ISU women’s head coach John Gartland said.
ISU had its next five runners finish in the top 30.
“Our strength and depth showed today,” Gartland said. “It was easily our best meet of the year.”
The Sycamore men (67) finished third behind host Southern Illinois (38) and Arkansas (45).
Junior Aaron Harding was ISU’s top runner, taking ninth with a time of 26:06. The next five Sycamore runners all came within 37 seconds of each other. Sophomore Jordan Fife finished 11th (26:12), followed by junior Dustin Strosnider (14th - 26:18), sophomore John Nay (16th - 26:28), senior Josh Kendall (17th - 26:35) and junior Seth Aydt (19th - 26:49).
“The depth is there,” ISU men’s head coach John McNichols said. “We’re just not challenging at the front.”
The Illini Challenge is next on the docket for both teams on Saturday.