Oct. 6, 2009
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week:
Andy Bayer, Indiana
R-Fr. - Leo, Ind. – Leo
Andy Bayer paced Indiana to a team title at the Paul Short Run in Bethlehem, Pa., last week, crossing the tape in 23:42, just two seconds behind the event’s frontrunner. The time marked a new career best in the 8,000-meter event for the Leo, Ind., native, who shed 1:10 off his previous individual record to become the first Hoosier to break the 24-minute barrier this season. His performance, which was good enough for third place, ties the redshirt freshman for fifth all-time on the Goodman Campus Course at Lehigh. One of four Hoosiers to finish in the top twenty, Bayer led an Indiana squad that defeated 2008 NCAA runner-up and No. 7-ranked Iona and a North Carolina State team that is ranked No. 19 by the latest USTFCCCA poll.
Last Indiana Men’s Runner of the Week: Andrew Poore (Sept. 22, 2009)
Women’s Co-Cross Country Runners of the Week:
Wendi Robinson, Indiana
Sr. - Danville, Ind. - Danville
Senior Wendi Robinson led the Indiana women’s cross country team to a top-three finish at the Paul Short Run, finishing third behind only fourth-ranked West Virginia and the top team in Canada, Guelph. Robinson completed the 6,000-meter in 20:04 – the tenth fastest time in the course’s history. The Danville, Ind., native turned in a fourth-place finish, leading a trio of Hoosiers among the top twenty. This marks the first weekly laurel for Robinson, and the first for an Indiana women’s cross country runner since September of 2004.
Last Indiana Women’s Runner of the Week: Jessica Gall (Sept. 21, 2004)
Bridget Franek, Penn State
Sr. - Hiram, Ohio – Crestwood
Senior Bridget Franek did not disappoint in her first appearance of the 2009 cross country campaign, turning in a seventh-place finish at the high-powered Notre Dame Invitational, leading the Nittany Lions to a fourth-place finish in the team standings. Franek clocked 16:52 over the 5,000-meter course, holding her own in a field chalked full of NCAA All-Americans. The Hiram, Ohio native led the No. 22-ranked Lions in upending stalwart programs from Arizona State (No. 13), New Mexico (No. 25), Florida State (No. 3), Southern Methodist, and Providence (No. 12) in the team standings, finishing behind only No. 1 Washington, No. 6 Princeton, and No. 15 Florida. This is the fifth weekly accolade for Franek, who earned her last award on Oct. 7, 2008.
Last Penn State Women’s Runner of the Week: Cheryl Spring (Sept. 15, 2009)
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