MIDLAND, Mich. – The Lake Superior State University men's and women's cross country teams competed in the 1st Annual Northwood XC Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Midland, Mich. to open their 2019-20 season. 

The men's team placed fourth overall out of the six collegiate teams that participated in the 6,000-meter run. Junior David Mitter was the first finisher from Lake Superior State and was the second finisher overall with a time of 18:46.9. The next fastest Laker was junior Kendal Delpiere who finished 25th overall with a time of 20:10.8. Junior Blake Barber recorded a time of 22:21.2 (42nd overall), freshman Daniel Anderson recorded a time of 23:05.0 (45th overall), freshman Kevin Garland finished with a time of 23:47.7 (48th overall) and freshman Andrew Giddens finished with a time of 24:44.9 (49th overall). 

In the women's 5,000-meter run, LSSU finished fifth out of the six participants. Three of the Laker women set personal records in the 5,000-meter distance. Senior Rebecca Lathrop was the first Laker to cross the finish line with a time of 19:44.0, which was good for 16th overall. Lathrop's previous personal record was 20:32.6 at the Bay College Quality Inn & Suites Invitational in 2018. Junior Alexis Passino followed with a 29th place finish with a time of 20:31.6. Passino's previous personal record was 21:33.4 at the 2018 Hillsdale Invitational. Junior Emily Merten also set a new personal record with a time of 21:23.2 (39th overall). Her previous fastest time was 22:44.7 at the 2017 Bay College Invitational.

The remaining members of the women's team finished with the following times: freshman Abigail Kline 21:50.2 (42nd overall), sophomore Leah Bell 22:04.8 (44th overall), sophomore Caitlyn Schumann 24:43.7 (54th overall) and senior Melody Perrin 25:02.1 (55th overall). 

Up Next:

The Lakers will head to East Lansing, Mich. on Friday, Sept. 13 to compete in the Spartan Invitational, hosted by Michigan State. The women's competition will begin at 11:00 a.m. while the men's competition is set to start at 11:30 a.m.

For more information and behind the scenes action, be sure to follow Lake State track and cross country on both Facebook and Instagram.