LOCK HAVEN, Pa.; September 16, 2006 - The Penn State women¡¯s cross country team opened their season at the Lock Haven Invitational in Lock Haven, Pa. Freshman Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) started her collegiate career in style with a big win in the women¡¯s 6,000-meter race in 21:23.42. Franek and fellow teammate Cheryl Spring (The Woodlands, Texas) teamed up to lead the majority of the race with Spring turning in a third-place effort (21:34.96) and Franek outlasting a LaSalle opponent in an exciting final stretch.

Junior Janelle Young (Lemoyne, Pa.) finished in a time of 22:14.83 to take 19th place.

¡°I felt like it was a solid race for the whole team, and we¡¯re very optimistic about the rest of the season. It was a good first race and I think we have a lot to look forward,¡± said Franek.

Head Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan was happy to see how the women would perform in their first race of the season. ¡°It was great to have individual winners Bridget (Franek) ran with good composure and executed the race extremely well,¡± said Alford-Sullivan. ¡°It was good for the women to get their feet wet, and we¡¯re very pleased with the results. Now it¡¯s time to go back and get ready to run at home.¡±

The women will host their first home meet of the season Saturday, September 23. The Spike Shoe Invitational will take place at the Penn State Blue Course, beginning at 10 a.m.