Aug. 30, 2003

West Palm Beach - Florida Atlantic University's men's and women's cross country teams officially started their season by competing in the Sailfish Invitational at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach early Saturday morning.

FAU was led by two seniors, Claudia Beitel and Greg Burke. Beitel finished second in the race recording an FAU record time of 18:44.11. Beitel's finish helped the women finish fourth in the meet. Meanwhile, Burke finished third in the men's race with a time of 16:19.15. The men didn't have enough participants to officially place.

Brittany Powers and Monika Grabowiecka finished 10th and 12th, respectively, for the Owls. Powers recorded a personal best time of 19:57.39 while Grabowiecka came in at 20:01.20.

FAU's Erin Mayros also recorded a personal best coming in at 22:45.81. Megan Berggren, 26:12.11, and Renee Bridges, 27:45.30, rounded out the women running underneath FAU's umbrella. Bridges race was her first since undergoing off-season ankle surgery.

Running unattached for the men was Ryan Lavender, 16:34.59, and for the women, Sara Anzardo, 22:33.32.

The Owls next meet is September 5, 6:00 pm, at the UCF Invitational.