Tauro Takes First to Lead U-M at Michigan Open

Friday, August 29

Dexter, Mich.

4:45 PM

Michigan

Michigan Open

8/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country

Site: Dexter, Mich. (Hudson Mills Metropark)
Meet: Michigan Open (5,000 Meters)
U-M Finish: Non-scoring
Top U-M Individual: Danielle Tauro, 1st (18:30)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 6 -- at Detroit Titan Invite (Northville, Mich.), 11 a.m.

Photo Gallery

DEXTER, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's cross country team opened its 2008 season on Friday (Aug. 29) at the Michigan Open at Hudson Mills Metropark. For the second consecutive year, sophomore Danielle Tauro(Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) finished first, winning the 5,000-meter race in a time of 18:30. Senior/junior Allison Nesbitt(Essexville, Mich./Garber) placed second with a time of 18:34.

Six other runners donned the Maize and Blue for the season-opening event. Senior/junior Kelly Sampson(Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) came home fourth in a time of 19:03. Fifth-year senior Lisa Montgomery(Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) was next across the line, taking fifth in 19:13. Redshirt freshman Kaitlyn Peale(Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), redshirt freshman Amanda McKenzie(Dexter, Mich./Chelsea) and junior/sophomore Alysha Valencia(Lawrence, Kan./Free State) crossed the line in seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively. Redshirt freshman Alice Lehman(Chanhassen, Minn./Minnetonka) finished in a time of 20:17, taking 11th place to round out the U-M runners.

Three other Michigan runners competed unattached. Freshman Lindsey Gakenheimer(Monroe, Mich./Monroe) was the top unattached runner, finishing third in 18:45. Freshman Mary Grace Pellegrini(Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual) took sixth in a time of 19:18 and freshman Lindsay Hagan(Novi, Mich./Northville) crossed the line in 20:17, finishing 10th.

The Wolverines will next compete in the Detroit Titan Invitational next Saturday (Sept. 6) at 11:00 a.m. in Northville, Mich.

Complete Results

 1. Danielle Tauro, U-M 18:30 2. Alison Nesbitt, U-M 18:34 3. Lindsey Gakenheimer, unatt. 18:45 4. Kelly Sampson, U-M 19:03 5. Lisa Montgomery, U-M 19:13 6. Mary Grace Pellegrini, unatt. 19:18 7. Kaitlyn Peale, U-M 19:37 8. Amanda McKenzie, U-M 19:43 9. Alysha Valencia, U-M 19:50 10. Lindsay Hagan, unatt. 20:04 11. Alice Lehman, U-M 20:17 12. Nicole Prince, unatt. 21:55 13. Meredith Harris, unatt. 23:08