Sept. 4, 2007
Sophomore Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) and junior Brian Fuller (Camp Hill, Pa.) have both earned Big Ten Runner of the Week certificates, announced by conference offices on Tuesday. Both Franek and Fuller captured individual victories at the Lock Haven Dolan Duals last weekend, as both Lion squads cruised to wins in the team scoring.
Franek dominated the women's 4,000-meter race, running away from the field to finish in 14:03.73 - nearly 20 seconds ahead of the next-fastest finisher. The win marks the second straight year that Franek has opened the season with a win at Lock Haven. Franek has been named Runner of the Week twice in her Lion cross country career, also claiming the award last October. She shares this week's honor with Michigan State's Alissa McKaig.
Fuller edged teammate Teddy Quinn for the win, finishing the 6000-meter course in 18:13.91, to Quinn's 18:14.07. The win marks the first individual cross country victory of Fuller's career. Fuller is also the first Nittany Lion to receive Big Ten recognition since Dan Mazzocco won the weekly award in 2003. Fuller splits this week's award with Ohio State's Jeff See.
The Lions will take two weekends off before traveling to the Bronx, N.Y., for the Iona Meet of Championships, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22.