Lexington, Va. - Goran Nava (Castello di Brianza, Italy) and Tricia Benson (Salem, Va.) paced Radford University’s cross country teams as they opened the 2003 season with a duel meet at the Virginia Military Institute. No teams scores were kept.

Nava won the men’s race which covered 3.45 miles in 18:45. He was followed by RU freshman Mike Meehan (Orange, Va.), finishing at 19:03. VMI would place third through six place. There were a total of 14 runners in the race.

On the women’s side, Benson would finish second behind VMI’s Amber Blain (16:58) with a time of 17:20 over the 2.5 mile course. Highlander freshman Maria Geary who finished third (17:20) was edged out at the tape by Benson. Senior Beth Hayward rounded out the top five with a time of 18:24.

The Highlanders will hit the course on Sept. 13 when they participate at the pre-conference meet in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

RU Men’s Results

1 Goran Nava, 18:45
2 Mike Meehan, 19:03
7 Tony Zanca, 21:45
8 Jarrell Warthen, 21:53
9 David Staton, 21:58
10 Latne Coghill, 22:03
11 Jason Delp, 22:13
12 Eric Joyce, 22:31
13 Andrew Woodyard, 23:22
14 Peter McCann 24:04

RU Women’s Results

2 Tricia Benson, 17:20
3 Maria Geary, 17:20
5 Beth Hayward, 18:24
6 Liz Banks, 18:54
7 Rachelle Estes, 19:22
8 Jenni Hauser, 19:28
9 Tara Stirewalt, 20:11
10 Danielle Tyler, 21:54