Marietta, Ohio - On Saturday afternoon, the Robert Morris University cross country teams kicked off the 2009 season at the Seventh Annual Carl Broughton Invitational hosted by Marietta College.  Both Colonial squads put forth a solid effort as the men's team finished second out of six teams in the 8k event.  The RMU women concluded the day with a fifth place result in the seven team competition.

Sophomore Arthur Leathers (Taneytown, Md. / Francis Scott Key) led the men with a fourth place overall finish and a time of 27:49.66. Freshman Shane Brandt (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) had a strong first showing as he notched a time of 28:07.33 to finish in eighth. Sophomore Greg Opp (Somerset, Pa. / Somerset) followed closely behind in ninth with a time of 28:12.45. Sophomore Brian Mitchell (Allison Park, Pa. / Hampton) put in a time of 28:53.34 which was good for a 15th place result, while freshman Michael Patschak (Woodsboro, Md. / Walkersville) rounded out the men's top five with a time of  29:40.79 in the 20th slot.

In the women's race, freshman Kristie Domis (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Baldwin) set the pace for the Colonial women as she recorded an impressive seventh place finish in her first collegiate competition with her time of 20:35.30. Junior Jessica Duffel (Punxsutawney, Pa. / Punxsutawney) finished in 16th at 21:21.53 and freshmen Abbey Lape (Lancaster, Ohio / Lancaster) ended up 24th with a time of 22:05.24. Second year runner Deb Ostrander (Denton, Md. / North Caroline) turned in a performance of 22:15.77 for 27th place and Marie George (Johnstown, Pa. / Richland) concluded the race in the 36th spot with her time of 22:15.77.

Robert Morris will now enjoy a one week rest before traveling to Athens, Ohio for the Ohio University Invitational on Saturday, September 26.