September 04, 2010

Spartanburg, SC-The Salem College cross country team finished in 20th out of 22 teams at the USC Upstate Eye Opener Invitational today. The Spirits defeated Great South conference foe Piedmont in the meet. Julie Piernikowski (Potomac, MD) finished in 94th overall in the 5k race with a personal record of 21:51.

The race was full of NCAA Division I, Division II, and NAIA schools. Piernikowski was the top DIII finisher in the race. Natali Olveda (Litchfield Park, AZ) finished in second for the Spirits in her first collegiate race in a time of 22:54 and 119th overall. Bethany Eaton (State Road, NC), a former Salem swimmer, came in 142nd place in a time of 24:22. Stephanie Mendez (Atlanta, GA) and Joanna Mills (Cary, NC) rounded out the top five for Salem.

UNC Charlotte was the overall winner in the race. Salem returns to action this weekend when they travel to the Washington and Lee Invitational in Lexington, VA on Saturday.

Complete Race Results: http://upstatespartans.com/sports/c-xc/2010-11/files/International_Female_Results.pdf