Saturday, September 1, 2007 

Buies Creek, NC- The Salem College Cross-Country Team traveled Saturday to compete in the 2007 Campbell University Cross-Country Meet. The Salem College lady harriers won the 4K race by defeating Peace College. Campbell University won the University Division by defeating Longwood, UNC Wilmington and UNC Greensboro.

Salem College was led by Rachel Fichthorn (Nokesville, VA) as she won the College Division race in a time of 16:12, a new Salem College cross-country record by 43 seconds. In the overall standings (Division I Universities included), Fichthorn placed 11th overall, beating 22 Division I harriers. The junior captain improved by 43 seconds from her 2006 time on the same course. “I was very proud to see Rachel mixing it up with all those Division I runners. She moved up steadily during mile two to break into the top ten near the end of the race. This is a great beginning to Rachel’s junior year, and it’s a tribute to all her hard work from the summer.”-Coach Widner

Julie Piernikowski (Potomac, MD) started her collegiate career off by placing second overall in a time of 18:42. “Julie ran strong throughout the race and looked good in her first race.”- Coach Widner

Sophomore harrier Lauren Meek (Draper, VA) placed 4th (19:55) along with Ariel Barker (Monroe, NC), who placed 5th (22:05). Anna Nieboer (St. Cloud, FL) placed 7th (24:56) and Nicole Wachter (Sunrise, FL) placed 8th (28:33) in their first collegiate action.

“I’m very proud of my team. They all battled to the best of their abilities today and that’s all a coach can ask for. I look forward to the rest of the season as the student-athletes will all improve.”- Coach Widner

The Salem College Cross-Country Team will return to action next Saturday as they travel to Lexington, Virginia to compete in the General Invitational at Washington & Lee University.