Provided by Oakland University

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Brittni Hutton finished 16th in the women's 6K event with a time of 21:49, while George O'Connor earned a top-50 finish with a time of 25:54 in the men's 8K event as the Oakland men's and women's cross country teams competed at the Spartan Invitational, hosted by Michigan State, Friday afternoon at Forest Akers East Golf Course.

"This meet was a very large competitive environment very early in the season and we saw high level teams from many different levels of schools," said head coach Paul Rice. "Some of our athletes handled it very well, and some didn't, but if we can get our 1-5 performing at the level they are capable of, then great things will happen for us."

Hutton finished 16th in a field of 309 runners that included five teams in the Great Lakes Regional Rankings. Top finishers for the women include Jami Rodes who finished in the top-100 in 82nd place with a time of 22:58 and Lia Jones who finished only four second outside of the top-100 in 103rd place with a time of 23:21.

O'Connor continued to pace the men's team as he finished 49th in a field of 317 participants with five teams competing ranked in the Top-15 in the regional rankings. Nathan Ziolko was three seconds away from earning a top 100 as he finished 102nd with a time of 26:32, while Michael Cox finished 114th with a time of 26:44.

"Our front runners looked strong once again," added Rice. "Brittni (Hutton) really handled herself well with the top group in the race. George (O'Connor) continues to impress as a freshman. It was great to have Nate Ziolko back racing this week."

The Golden Grizzlies will be in action in two weeks when they travel to Chicago, Ill. to participate in the Loyola Invitational on Saturday Sept. 29.

Oakland Men's Finishers - 8K

49. George O'Connor - 25:54

102. Nathan Ziolko - 26:32

114. Michael Cox - 26:44

126. Philip Palomino - 26:55

156. Pat Cassady - 27:27

183. Anthony Sterzick - 27:51

185. Alex Katona- 27:54

Oakland Women's Finishers - 6K

16. Brittni Hutton - 21:49

82. Jami Rodes - 22:58

103. Lia Jones - 23:21

126. Miranda Haas - 23:48

139. Hannah Scherer - 24:03

155. Autumn Cleverley - 24:16

169. Cassandra Peterson - 24:38

173. Sarah Oren - 24:41

210. Leigh Bravender - 25:33

222. Emma Claucherty - 25:57

239. Megan Czarnowski - 26:55

246. Jennifer Farrar - 27:08

247. Jenae Curley - 27:10

269. Christine Lindsay - 28:13

280. Devon Mahieu - 29:07

282. Rachel Mendoza- 29:31

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