Cross Country Gains Early Season Momentum at SIUE Cross Country Challenge

St. Louis-The wave of fall weather was perfect timing for cross country teams racing last Friday evening.  Both the Fontbonne men's and women's teams took advantage by running well-executed races.  "Every person ran really well today.  This course is hilly, and what I consider a true cross country course. I thought they ran smart," Coach Kelli Blake said.

The men ran their first 8K of the season, with Cristian Sellars posting a time of 29:31.

On the women's side, Alyssa Tonner had a strong performance, finishing 14th with a 5K time of 19:31.  Also notable was the collegiate debut of senior Carly Reidt, who ran her first ever cross country race on Friday.  "Carly is one of the most coachable people I have ever met and has a fantastic attitude.  She has a lot of guts for stepping to the line with people who have run competitively for years and I think she is going to improve a lot this season," Blake said.

The Griffins are headed to Rock Island, Il. in two weeks for the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational.