Privateer Men and Women Place Second in UNO Invitational

NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 2, 2004) -- The University of New Orleans captured second place in both the men's and women's cross country races of the UNO Invitational held at Levee Oaks Park Saturday morning.

Jason Dijkema led the men in scoring with a third-place finish in the men's 5-kilometer run with a time of 15:39.75. He was closely followed by fellow Privateer Jeff Draggich who tallied a 15:57.29 and a fifth-place ending. Two more Privateers, Chan-Yew Woo and Kwesi Cudjoe-Chow, garnered ninth and 10th respectively, with finishes of 16:21.32 and 16:23.31. Jameel Wilson posted a 14th place at 16:48.51 and Ludence Smith came in 20th with a time of 17:53.50 for UNO.

As for the women, three Privateer runners captured fifth through seventh place with Vicky Jones leading the way with a time of 18:44.38 in the 3-mile race. Caroline Hulden was next with a time of 19:07.24 and Christy Zirkle posted a time of 19:10.80. Naudia Falconer came in 15th (20:06.80) and Orion Wilson placed 16th (20:07.79), while Terrica Hamilton added a 26th place (21:42.79) finish and Rachel Widmer came in 28th (22:04.22).

Southern Mississippi's Cassandra Goodson won the women's race with a time of 18:01.77, almost 18 seconds ahead of Cassie Jones (18:19.51) of Nicholls State. The Lady Eagles also captured the team crown with a score of 25, followed by UNO (49), Nicholls State (83), Tulane (116), Xavier (121) and Spring Hill (140).

Philip Aagaard of Tulane won the men's race as he outran the field with a 15:26.46 just under eight seconds in front of teammate Kevin Martes (15:34.27). The Green Wave won the men's event with 23 points, followed by UNO (34) and Nicholls State (75).