Audrey Huth, 'Cats Prevail at Crusader Open

9/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track

Sept. 2, 2011

Complete Results

Crusader Open -- Individual Results

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- On a hot and humid afternoon in Valparaiso, Ind., Northwestern opened its 2011 season on a high note with a first-place finish at the Crusader Open on Friday. Junior Audrey Huth set the pace for the field of 80 competitors, running the only sub-18-minute 5K on the day to nab first.

Huth crossed in 17:56.1, eight seconds ahead of second-place Jessica Rydberg of Notre Dame and 30 seconds faster than the ensuing place-winner, NU junior Ashley Greenwell (18:26.8). The efforts by Huth, Greenwell and sophomore Lexie Goldsmith (fourth, 18:28.7) along with top-10 finishes by Rachel Kaminski and Moira Ryan were enough to hold off Notre Dame in the team standings.

NU's Greenwell, Goldsmith, Kaminski and Ryan all set cross country 5K career bests on the evening.

The 'Cats finished with 25 points to outpace the Fighting Irish (33), as both teams put plenty of distance between themselves and third-place finisher Marquette (78). Western Michigan, Valparaiso and Trinity rounded out the field at the Crusader Open.

This is the second straight year Northwestern has opened its season with a first-place team finish.

Complete individual and team results from Friday evening are linked at the top of the page. Northwestern returns to competition on Saturday, Sept. 10, in the Huskie Open hosted by Northern Illinois.

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