Women’s Cross Country Wins Blue Ridge Open

Oct. 18, 2008

Boone, NC – Clemson’s cross country teams made a return trip to Appalachian State University on Friday, this time to compete in the Blue Ridge Open. The women’s team earned its third team championship of the season, having already won the Eye Opener and Delaware Invitational in September.

Jenna Baker, Clemson’s top runner, was once again the top performer for the Clemson women’s squad. The Bellevue, OH native posted a time of 18:23 and was sixth over the 5000m course. Baker has been the team’s top finisher in four straight meets.

Stephanie Buffo had her best performance of the season, finishing 14th overall with a solid time of 18:47. Sunday Ford, one of Clemson’s co-captains, also had one of her best performances to date this season. The product of Piedmont, SC posted a time of 18:47 as well and finished slightly behind Buffo. The team’s final two scorers Friday evening were Alyssa Kulik, who was 22nd (18:57), and Laura Laughlin who placed 40th. Laughlin had a 5K time of 19:15.

The men’s group finished fifth in the gold race. Leading the way for the Tigers was sophomore Tyler Morey, who finished 31st overall and earned 22 points for the team when taking unattached runners into account. Morey posted a time of 25:35, while fellow sophomore Jonathan Sunde ran a time of 25:44 and was 37th.

Sam Bryfczynski was 47th (25:54) and Shane Reighard (25:56) finished 51st overall. Chris Slate was the team’s #5 finisher, as the Delaware native was 54th in the individual standings. He crossed the finish line with a time of 25:58.

The teams return to action in two weeks for the ACC Cross Country Championships. The meet will be held in Clemmons, NC.