UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-Freshman Michelle Wale (Pine Bush, NY) was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Week for women's cross country. She took second among a field of 269 runners from 39 teams in the Paul Short Invitational on Saturday. Her finish led the Nittany Lions to victory and her time of 21:15.85 is the fastest 6K time in the Big Ten this season. She has been the Nittany Lions' top finisher for three consecutive meets. Wale will look to continue her successful season this weekend at the National Invitational that will be held on Penn State's Blue/White Golf Course. The race starts at 10:00 a.m.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Senior Steve Walsh (Blue Bell, Pa.) was named Men's Cross Country Co-Big Ten Athlete of the Week. He shared the honor with Mark Pilja of Michigan. Walsh led the Nittany Lions to victory at the Paul Short Invitational, where he finished third with a time of 24:48.40. It was the second straight meet that Walsh paced the Nittany Lions. He finished right behind Adrian Blincoe, who finished 9th in last years NCAA Championship race. Walsh and his fellow Nittany Lions will be in action again this weekend as Penn State's hosts the National Invitational. The men's race begins at 11:00 a.m. and is held on the Blue-White golf course. --LIONS--