Erie, Pa. – Junior Christie Turak posted a new course record, leading the Lakers to a second-place finish at the 2009 Mercyhurst Invitational Saturday, Oct. 17, held at Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview. The Lakers finished just three total places behind Gannon, who won with a team score of 27.

Gannon took first place with 27 points, followed by Mercyhurst with 30. Thiel placed third with 99, followed by Davis & Elkins and West Liberty State, respectively.

Turak won the 6K race in a course-record 21:54. Teammate Jennifer Mieczkowski took second place in 24:29. Turak has beaten every competitor but one this season, as Saturday's first-place finish was her fifth individual title of 2009. Cherie Jackson placed ninth with a time of 25:53, while Rebecca Roberts ran a 26:25 for 18th place. Amanda Ehrbar completed team scoring with a 30th place finish in 27:15. Jennifer Hoobler (27:17) and Clara Strasenburgh (27:55) placed 43rd and 59th, respectively. Jessica Pachlhofer and Madeylen Hoover also competed for the Lakers.

The Lakers will next compete at the PSAC Cross Country Championships, hosted by Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Saturday, Oct. 24.