Sept. 1, 2012

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BREA, Calif. -- LMU Cross Country started the 2012 season on a winning note with twin victories at the Mark Covert Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton. Senior Sheree Shea returned after a missing most of last year as a redshirt with an individual win in the women's 5k race, leading the LMU women to a second consecutive title at Carbon Canyon Regional Park. The scoring five for the LMU men all placed in the top 11 overall giving the Lions a low score of 24 (2-3-6-8-11), beating second-place Long Beach State by 42 points.

LMU's men were lead by junior Weston Strum who finished the 8k race fourth overall, finishing with a time of 25:17.8. Fellow junior Drew Dalton finished close behind in 25:27.8 for fifth overall. Senior Sterling Lockert completed in a time of 25:45.1 for an eighth-place finish. Tyre Johnson was next in order, running a 25:49.5. Sophomore Michael Vorgitch closed out the LMU scoring five with a time of 26:01.3, for 11th.

Sophomore transfer Daniel Gibson had a time of 26:17.4 in his first race as a Lion, for 15th overall in the race. Freshman Michael Duncan made his LMU debut finishing in 26:34.1, which was 25th overall. The Lions beat a field of 14 colleges and universities which included fellow WCC member San Diego who finished 13th.

On the women's side, Shea ran a time of 17:54.3, winning the race by a little under two seconds. Senior Cassandra Salazar and senior transfer Callie Mulgannon crossed the finish line within seconds of each other for sixth and seventh place. Salazar ran a time of 18:24.1, while Mulgannon completed at 18:26.7. Freshman Kelli Sugimoto finished her first collegiate race in 10th-place in 18:40.6. Senior Caroline Draper crossed at 18:44.5 for 13th.

Sarah Vitug, a transfer from UC Santa Barbara, finished in 19:16.9 for 18th overall. Freshman Evelyn Gonzalez ran the 5k course in 19:20.6 for 19th. LMU defeated second-place Long Beach State by 15 points. The 13-team field for the women also included San Diego, won finished fourth overall.

The Lions look to continue the momentum from Saturday's victories next Saturday, Sept. 8 at the UC Irvine Invitational. The meet begins at 8:30 a.m.

- GO LIONS -