Final Results (.pdf) I Individual Results (.pdf)

KETTERING, Ohio - Veteran Rachel Zajac was nearly two years removed from her last cross country race, having missed all of the 2012 cross season due to injury. However, the fifth-year senior made a triumphant return to the Jaguars' lineup on Saturday (Aug. 31), winning the Flyer 5K at Indian Riffle Park with a near personal record time of 18:25.2. Her time was the ninth-quickest 5K in school history and missed a personal best by less than a second. She also became the first IUPUI runner to win a meet since the 2000 season. 

With Zajac leading the way, the Jaguars placed second of seven Division I schools, falling only to Ohio State. Ohio State won the meet with 24 points while IUPUI turned in a 53-point effort. Host Dayton was third with 61. 

"We didn't look scared at all. When the gun went off, we got down to business. The last time we were here, we looked beat before the race started," IUPUI Head Coach Antonio McDaniel said. "Today, top to bottom, the girls raced well and went out and competed.

"Rachel getting the win was huge, beating a runner from Ohio State. The girl she beat led from about 200 meters on and Rachel closed her down with about a K to go. She ran extremely smart - the middle of the race was the difference."

Zajac had made winning the Flyer 5K a personal goal earlier in her career before pulling off the feat on Saturday. 

"It was really cool, coming across the finish line with IUPUI across my chest," Zajac said. "It was a great feeling. I ran (the race) pretty strategically and left it all out on the course."

Throughout the race, Zajac contemplated when to make her move. She finally passed OSU's Jill Kanney with just over 1,000 meters remaining and ultimately sprinted to the finish line, easily claiming an 11 second win. 

"There's a little turn right before the finish line and I was still scared she would come back and pass me," Zajac said.

Kanney and her teammate, Lexi Aughenbaugh took second and third before IUPUI sophomore Leah Brooks placed fourth in a personal best time of 18:57.0.

The rest of the Jaguars' top five began crossing about 40 seconds later as freshman Savannah Turner finished at 19:38.1 in 15th place. Junior Jordan Hanaway was 16th at 19:38.8 and sophomore Julie Riggins was 17th at 19:43.0. 

Two other freshmen filled out the Jaguars' top seven as Jennifer Emery was 20th at 20:05.3 and Ashley Mosley was 23rd at 20:25.9. 

"Leah ran extremely well. She looked very strong. She's been putting in the miles and it definitely paid off," McDaniel said. "We kind of expected Savannah to be up there with Jordan and Julie. 

"This was the best (Emery) has looked for the last couple weeks, but she stepped up today."

The Jaguars' second-place finish was the program's best ever at the Dayton event. IUPUI finished third at this event in both 2010 and 2011. 

"We're such a solid team this year and today, we accomplished such a huge goal," Zajac said. "It's awesome to see how much the program has grown and improved. I'm excited to see how we can do against IPFW and Ball State. 

The Jags will return to action next weekend when they participate in the IPFW Invitational on Sept. 7 in Fort Wayne, Ind.. The meet will help the Jaguars preview The Summit League Championships, which will be held on the same 6K course in early November. 

Team Results
1. Ohio State - 24
2. IUPUI - 53
3. Dayton - 61
4. Northern Kentucky - 109
5. Xavier - 149
6. Cleveland State - 157
7. Wright State - 190

Individual Results
1. Rachel Zajac - 18:25.2
4. Leah Brooks - 18:57.0
17. Savannah Turner - 19:38.1
18. Jordan Hanaway - 19:38.8
19. Julie Riggins - 19:43.0
26. Jennifer Emery - 20:05.3
30. Ashley Mosley - 20:25.9
32. Allie DeBaker - 20:28.4
35. Sydney Chapman - 20:32.4
40. Mandy Campbell - 20:39.0
44. Mariana Lopez-Owens - 20:54.5
50. Lexi Hunt - 21:11.7
57. Elaine Yahne - 21:25.4
62. Katie Williams - 21:52.3
71. Chrissy Leslie - 22:21.7
78. Valeria Guzman - 22:50.6
81. Riley Mineart - 22:54.8