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DELACRUZ, JONES LEAD RAMS AT SEASON-OPENING TECH RELAYS BLACKSBURG, Va. – In order to walk, or in this case run, one must always start with baby steps. That’s kind of what the Virginia Commonwealth University women’s cross country team have in mind for the 2009 campaign as it got its year underway at the Virginia Tech Relays behind sophomore Heather DelaCruz (Williamsburg, Va.) and freshman Arianna Jones (Sterling, Va.). “We really wanted to use this meet as a good workout,” Assistant Track & Field and Head Cross Country Coach Ethan Tussing said. “We wanted to work on staying together as a pack and we were able to do that. It’s a good foundation to work on for the rest of the year.” The relays were set-up with two runners teaming up to run two legs each of the 2.5-kilometer course for a total of five kilometers each and 10-kilometers as a duo. DelaCruz, who was among the Black & Gold’s top-two runners during every meet last year, joined newcomer Jones for an 11th-place finish, just eight seconds off the top-10. Jones gave the top individual performance of the weekend, clocking in 19:37.40 over her five kilometers. The freshman actually ran over two seconds better on her second leg, a feat that only three other runners at the meet were able to accomplish. “Ariana has a lot of potential and that’s why I talked about her being a sleeper in the season preview,” Tussing added. “She ran really well today and it’s a good sign of things to come.” All four VCU pairs finished in the top-20 with DelaCruz and Jones leading the way. Sophomore Nicole Walters (Orange, Va.) and freshman Sarah Earman (Nokesville, Va.) finished 15th, sophomore Aubree Washington (Woodbridge, Va.) and freshman Shannon Brady (Sterling, Va.) clocked in for a 17th-place finish and the freshmen duo of Hannah Leffew (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Brittiny Wolfe (Yorktown, Va.) rounded out the Black & Gold runners with a 19th-place finish. The Rams are back in action in two weeks, competing at the Winthrop Invitational on September 19th in Rock Hill, S.C. FINAL VIRGINIA TECH RELAYS TEAM STANDINGS
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