THIBODAUX, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's and women's cross country teams finished third and fifth, respectively, at the 7^th Annual Nicholls Cross Country Invitational Saturday morning at Nicholls Farm.

The top finisher on either side for SLU was Ava Pitarro. The junior from Walker, La. finished in sixth place with a time of 19:20.20 over the 5K Course.

Pitarro was joined in the top 20 by freshman teammate JoAnna Cornette (20:51.40). Nikola Vimmerova (22:19.10, 33^rd), Mya Parker (22:31.30, 34^th) and Callie Arthur (26:13.90, 49^th) rounded out the Lady Lion contingent.

Pitarro was not Southeastern's only top-10 performer on the day, as Tanner Salsman led the Lions with a ninth-place showing. The Harvey, Louisiana covered the four-mile course in 21:43.80. Landen Schillage (22:39.90, 24^th), Matthew Norman (23:10.20, 28^th), D'Juan Joseph (23:35.40) and Matthew Berthelot (24:27.40, 43^rd) were the other SLU competitors.

In three weeks, Southeastern will compete in its final tune-up before next month's Southland Conference Championships. The Lions and Lady Lions will be in Clinton, Miss. to compete in the Watson Collegiate Classic Oct. 18. The men's 8K race will start at 8 a.m. with the women's 6K race following at 8:45 a.m.

Men's Standings
1. Loyola (N.O.) - 18
2. Nicholls - 51
3. Southeastern - 100
4. Southern - 108
5. Alcorn State - 123
6. Xavier (N.O.) - 150
7. Dillard - 167

Women's Standings
1. Nicholls - 26
2. Southern - 86
3. Jackson State - 88
4. Alcorn State - 118
5. Southeastern - 121
6. Loyola (N.O.) - 126
7. Spring Hill - 149
8. Dillard - 177

PODIUM CLUB/S CLUB  
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the track and field program are encouraged to join the Podium Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. All membership fees and donations to Podium Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern track and field program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
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