SOUTH BEND, Ind. - For the first time in two weeks the men's and women's cross country team got back to competition by participating in the 54th running of the Notre Dame Invitational.

Both the men's and women's field featured a mix of schools from NCAA Divisions I, II and III including three-time Invitational champion Eastern Michigan.

In the women's race the Phoenix were led by senior Jolene Sell (Menasha, Wis.) who finished in 44th place out of 162 runners. Freshman Areanna Lakowske (Sparta, Wis.) was second for the Phoenix with a time of 19:53 followed by Annie Bley (Sevastopol, Wis.), Emily Farrell (21:00) and Anna Yakesh (21:25) who rounded out the top five. As a team the Phoenix women finished 18th out of 20 schools.

On the men's side Green Bay's Josh Clark (Gillett, Wis.) paced the way for the Phoenix finishing the five mile race in 27:30. Freshman Paul Malcore (Luxemburg-Casco, Wis.) was second for the Phoenix with a time of 27:38 followed by Erik Blomsness (28:11), Brad Endres (28:39) and Steve Wagner (28:47) who rounded out the top five. In the team standings the men finished in 20th place.

The Notre Dame Invitational is one of the nation's oldest and largest intercollegiate cross country meets. Green Bay will have next weekend off as they prepare to compete at the Bradley Classic in Peoria, Ill. Oct. 16.

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