August 31, 2012

Spartanburg, SC-The Salem College cross country team started the season by defeating last year's Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC) Champions, Piedmont College, at the USC-Upstate Eye Opener 5K. Salem and Piedmont were the only 2 NCAA DIII teams in the meet. Natali Olveda (Salinas, CA) finished 1st for the Spirits and 86th overall out of 195 in a time of 22:38.60.

The top 4 runners in the meet were all NCAA DI runners. Cristi Magracia (Lemon Grove, CA) finished in 2nd for the Spirits and 94th overall in 22:57.51. Bethany Eaton came in next for Salem in 120th place in a time of 24:11.03. Running in their first collegiate meets, Hannah Helms (King, NC) and Elizabeth Penley (Newport, NC) rounded out the top 5 for the Spirits.

Sinead Haughey from Furman was the overall winner of the meet in 18:42.16. Davidson was the overall team winner, and the Spirits finished 18th out of 23 teams overall.

The Spirits return next week at the Catawba Meet on September 7th at 5:00.