Results

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The Norfolk State women's cross country team opened its 2011 season on Saturday with a sixth-place finish at the Maryland Eastern-Shore Lid-Lifter.

The Spartan women accumulated 162 points and finished ahead of two MEAC teams, Delaware State and Morgan State, in the eight-team field. The Naval Academy won the meet with 15 points, sweeping first through fifth places.

NSU was led by junior two-time All-MEAC runner Kellen Rutto. She finished the 5,000-meter course in 21 minutes, 1.75 seconds to placed 52nd (27th toward the team standing). Freshman Kassandra Irizarry was the next Spartan to cross the finish line, taking 65th placed in 21:56.38. Fellow freshman Ariel Bartice-Smith was 66th (21:59.79), while senior Jamia Hutto was 71st (22:37.83) and classmate Syeeda Gee was 76th (23:43.12) to round out NSU's top five.

The Spartans are back in action this upcoming Friday at the Lou Onesty Invitational hosted by the University of Virginia.