Sept. 9, 2000

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. - The UNLV cross country team opened its season with a ninth-place showing at the UC Irvine Invitational on Saturday despite top-20 finishes from its two seniors.

The Rebels, who fielded a squad of only five runners, were led by Jenni Nelson (Renton, Wash./Montana) who clocked a 19:09.90 to finish ninth overall in the slow-paced 5-kilometer race. The race marks the fourth straight in which Nelson has been UNLV's top finisher.

Right on her heels was Katie Barto (Henderson/Green Valley), who finished 17th in 19:26.60.

The Rebels were hampered without the benefit of a full seven-member lineup and three freshmen rounding out the squad. Nickeisha Charles (Arima Trinidad), Tiffany Smith (Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft) and Cherokee Osborne (Reno/Sparks) finished 72nd, 73rd and 74th, respectively.

UNLV will take two weeks to prepare for its next competition, the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle on Sept. 23.