Oct. 19, 2002

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Senior distance runner Jessica Zarndt (Las Vegas) turned in a season best time of 18 minutes, 26 seconds to pace the UNLV women's cross country team at the Long Beach State Invitational 5K race Saturday afternoon at El Dorado Park.

Zarndt, a local native out of Cheyenne High School, placed eighth, while sophomore Michele Suszek (Alpena, Mich.) finished 13th with a season best time of 18:34.00.

Season bests were also registered by sophomore Kelley Wright (20:05.00), freshman Colleen O'Brien (20:42.00), freshman Erin Hammond (20:59.00), freshman Katie Hughes (21:29.00), sophomore Monica Matute (21:59.00) and junior Lacey Bridges (24:22.00).

In team scoring, UNLV finished sixth out of the 10-team field with 151 points. Track West won the women's team title with 35 points, while Southern Utah (77) and San Diego State (85) placed second and third respectively.

The Mountain West Conference Championship is up next for the Rebels on Friday, Nov. 1. Defending league and national champion BYU will host the conference meet in Provo, Utah.

at Long Beach State Invitational (5K)El Dorado ParkLong Beach, Calif.
WOMEN'S TEAM SCORING - 1, Track West, 35. 2, Southern Utah, 77.3, San Diego State, 85. 4, USC, 88. 5, Cal Coast TC, 99.6, UNLV, 151. 7, Long Beach State, 186. 8, UC Riverside, 205.9, Biola, 222. 10, El Camino, 286.
Participant      Place       TimeJessica Zarndt (Sr.)    8th     18:26.00Michele Suszek (So.)    13th        18:34.00Kelley Wright (So.) 43rd        20:05.00Colleen O'Brien (Fr.)   57th        20:42.00Erin Hammond (Fr.)  62nd        20:59.00Katie Hughes (Fr.)  71st        21:29.00Monica Matute (So.) 77th        21:59.00Lacey Bridges (Jr.) 87th        24:22.00