Women’s Cross Country Finishes Runner-Up at Furman Invitational

Oct. 13, 2007

Complete Results

Greenville, SC – The women’s cross country team raced without one of its top performers, but still managed a runner-up finish at the 35th annual Furman Invitational on Saturday at the university golf course. The Lady Tigers posted 79 points and trailed only Charlotte, who had 60, in the team standings.

Clemson was without the services of freshman Jenna Baker, who was held out due to slight foot soreness. She had been the team’s top finisher in three straight meets. With her out of the lineup, a trio of freshmen picked up the slack and scored for Clemson.

“It was a very good day,” said Gordon Thomson, second-year distance coach for the Lady Tiger program. “I was happy to see Abby Iselborn step up today. The team score would’ve been different had Jenna Baker been available. But I was pleased with the way the team asserted itself and got out to a solid start. A lot of progress continues to be made, but there’s still work to do as we prepare for ACCs in two weeks.”

Laura Laughlin was the top scorer on Saturday with an eighth-place finish. She continued on her course as one of the team’s most consistent performers. The Aiken, SC native recorded a time of 18:29 as she crossed the finish line. Iselborn, who Thomson singled out for her performance, was ninth as she ran a time of 18:33.

Stephanie Buffo, yet another freshman in Clemson’s lineup, was 16th overall. The Spartanburg, SC native posted a time of 18:59. Sunday Ford scored for the fifth time in as many meets this season, posting a 22nd-place showing with a time of 19:14 Saturday. Joanie Castagno, a first-year performer from Delaware, rounded out the team’s scoring effort in 32nd position. Her time was 19:36.

Clemson competed a full squad on Saturday. Also running in the race were Leianne Cade (122nd, 22:10), and Danielle Powers (159th, 24:55).

The Lady Tigers return to action on Saturday, October 27 for the ACC Championships in Charlottesville, VA.