Cross Country Returns To Action This Weekend

Oct. 9, 2003

Orlando, FL (hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami men’s and women’s cross country teams return to action October 11 at the 8th Annual Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic in Orlando, FL.

The event will take place at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex with the University men’s 8,000-meter race kicking things off at 7:45 a.m. followed by the University women’s 5,000-meter competition starting at 8:55 a.m.

The Disney Classic has developed into one of the top cross country meets in the nation. In 2002, some 63 college teams and 169 high school teams from 19 states and Canada were represented.

Led by sophomore Alex Brutvan (Boca Raton, FL), the UM men’s team has won two of the first three meets of the season and are currently ranked 12th in the South Region.

Brutvan has been the Hurricanes’ top finisher every race this season including a first-place finish at the FIU Invitational (Sept. 13). In addition he was the top collegiate finisher at the season-opening Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish Invitational (Aug. 30).

The Hurricane women have been led this season by sophomore Melanie Schultz (Davison, MI) who has exploded on the scene with victories in the first two meets of the season. Her performances have helped Miami record second-place finishes at both the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish Invitational as well as the FIU Invitational.