Aug. 29, 2008

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FAIRBANKS, AK - Alaska men's and women's cross country opened their 2008 season with a solid team performance at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus Trails. The women's team notched their first win of the year, defeating Humboldt State University 24-31. In the men's race, the Blue and Gold were outlasted by the Lumberjacks, falling 22-35.

It was an encouraging start for the Alaska women, who took five of the top eight spots in the race. For the second consecutive season, senior Anna Coulter was the Nanooks' first finisher, crossing the tape in 24:01.8: almost a minute faster from the same race the previous season.

Also making their way into the top eight spots for the Nanooks, were Coulter's twin sister Julia Pierson (second), Elisabeth Habermann (sixth), Aurelia Korthauer (seventh) and rookie Jana Benedix (eighth).

For the men, newcomer Matthew Scerbak led the way for the Nanooks, finishing in fourth place overall and just 17 seconds behind the top finisher, HSU's Eric Malain. Scerbak was on the heels of Malain and his teammates Andrew Sylvester (2nd) and Jesus Solis (3rd) heading into the second lap of the potato field and the bicycle bumps, but was unable to overcome the distance in the end.

Einar Often, Ray Sabo and Chris Eversman also recorded top-ten finishes, finishing fifth, sixth and eighth for the Nanooks.

The Nanooks will return to action Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Cross Country Ski Trails at Birch Hill. The men's race will start at 9:00 a.m., while the women will take the line at 9:30 a.m.