Wolverines Give Promising Showing in Season Opener

Tuesday, September 7

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:30 PM

Michigan

Michigan Open

9/7/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country

By: Adrienne Gutierrez

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Golf Course)
Meet: Michigan Open (8,000 meters)
Conditions: Sunny, 45 percent humidity, 80 degrees
U-M Finish: Non-Scoring
Next Meet: Saturday, Sept. 18 -- at Spiked Shoe Invitational (State College, Pa.), 10:45 a.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Under a showering of golf balls from those playing the course, the University of Michigan men's cross country team ran impressively this afternoon (Tuesday, Sept. 18) in the Michigan Open on the University of Michigan Golf Course. The meet included the 1999 U-M squad -- most competing unattached -- as well as several top area runners on the 8,000-meter course.

Sophomore Mark Pilja (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS) crossed the finish line first at 26:12 with junior Mike Wisniewski (Temperance, Mich./Bedford HS) less than an inch behind. Seconds behind were senior Jay Cantin (Camlachie, Ontario/St. Clair SS) and sophomore Sam Dorri (North York, Ontario/St. Michael's SS) at 26:29. Rounding out the top five was senior captain Steve Lawrence (Consecon, Ontario/East Northumberland SS) at 26:30.

Despite only one returning All-American (Cantin), the Wolverines turned in faster times than last year's Michigan Open. Today, 10 runners clocked times under 27 minutes on the 8,000-meter course as opposed to last year when only five Wolverines came in under 27 minutes.

The Wolverines return to action on Sept. 18 at Penn State's Spiked Shoe Invitational in State College, Pa.

Michigan Open Results

 1. Mark Pilja, unatt.           26:12
 2. Mike Wisniewski, unatt.      26:12
 3. Jay Cantin, unatt.           26:29
 4. Sam Dorri, unatt.            26:29
 5. Steve Lawrence, unatt.       26:30
 6. John Butsic, unatt.          26:48
 7. Scott McDonald, Saucony TC   26:49
 8. David Cook, U-M              26:49
 9. Nick Stanko, unatt.          26:51
10. Tom Caughlan, unatt.         26:53
11. Andy Vyncke, unatt.          28:03
12. Kevin Hughes, unatt.         28:04
13. Nate Hoffman, U-M            28:11
14. John Wesley, U-M             28:12
15. Ryan Hesselink, unatt.       28:21
16. Newhouse, unatt.             28:41
17. Lynn, unatt.                 28:43
18. Bohn, unatt.                 28:52
19. Boyer, unatt.                29:06
20. Shirvell, unatt.             29:49
21. Doug Anderson, unatt.        29:56
22. Rindlar, unatt.              30:00
23. Rogan, unatt.                30:27
24. Prowse, unatt.               31:27
25. Carion, unatt.               31:39
26. Ordorica, unatt.             36:52
--  Aaron Lindell, unatt.         DNF
--  Brent Erickson, unatt.        DNF