Sept. 8, 2007

Men's Results in PDF Format
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Women's Results in PDF Format
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OROVILLE, Calif.-- In her first six-kilometer race, freshman Alicia Ivanhoe led the women's cross country team to a fourth-place finish while Arran Rogerson had the best time for the men's team on the 8K course at the season-opening Chico State Invitational Saturday morning at the Forebay Aquatic Center.

The women's team had a total of five runners competing in the first 6K race of their career. Ivanhoe finished her first collegiate race in 12th place with a time of 22:57.5 to lead the women's squad. She was followed closely by senior Ashley Harris, who clocked in with a time of 23:42.8 to finish 21st.

"Alicia had an outstanding time considering she's a freshman in her first-ever 6K race," said women's coach Deanne Vochatzer.

Chelsea Johnstone was the women's third scorer as she crossed the line in 24:17.5 to finish 29th. Sophomore Marie Casabonne and freshman Rosa Ferris rounded out the Aggie scorers with 29th and 45th-place finishes, respectively.

"In the first meet of the season we wanted to get some of our younger runners to go out and get the feel for what it's like to compete at this level," said Vochatzer. "This was a very tough course and it provided us with some good experience."

Rogerson was the top finisher on the men's side as he came in 30th overall with a time of 27:48.9. He was followed three places later by sophomore Tyler Rattray (27:53.9).

Redshirt freshman Kyle Suarez was running in the top five during his first collegiate race, but had his shoe accidentally stepped on by another racer. Unable to finish on the jagged course with only one shoe, Suarez had to drop out and thus only four Aggies scored.

"On a positive note, I was pleased with the performance Suarez gave us before he was forced to drop out," said men's coach Chris Puppione. "We just didn't execute our race plan today. We'll come back next week at Sundodger and look for a solid showing."

Running in their first collegiate races, freshman Calvin Thigpen and sophomore Adalberto Corres finished 37th and 40th, respectively to cap the UC Davis scoring.

Stanford won both men's and women's races. The Cardinal women's team are the defending national champions.

UC Davis cross country returns next week with a full squad traveling to Seattle, Wash. for the Sundodger Invitational, which will being at 9:00 a.m.