Oct. 7, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.: - For the fourth time in her decorated career, junior Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) has been named Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Week, thanks to her top-five finish at the Bill Dellinger Invitational at the University of Oregon last weekend. Franek impressed in her opening race of the 2008 season, placing fifth in an NCAA-caliber field in 20:43.96.
Franek, a two-time NCAA qualifier in cross country, is the second Nittany Lion woman to nab conference honors this year, as freshman Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.) was named Big Ten Athlete of the Week last month.
Franek's effort propelled the Nittany Lion women to a third-place finish in the team standings behind only No. 1 Oregon, and No. 11 Arkansas. The Nittany Lions managed to knock off solid squads from Wake Forest and Portland, while upending No. 17 Colorado State, and No. 23 BYU.
The Lions will have a weekend off before hosting the high-powered Penn State National, set for Oct. 17 at 10:00 a.m., at the Blue/White Golf Course.