Turak Tabbed PSAC Athlete of the Week
Erik Kaminski, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
9/8/2009 4:58:50 PM
ERIE, Pa. – Junior
Christie Turak of the Mercyhurst College women’s cross country team has been named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week, league officials announced Tuesday afternoon.
The Erie, Pa. native claimed top individual honors at the California (Pa.) Invitational held this past Saturday. She finished ahead of 107 other runners, crossing the tape in 17:49 over the 5K course. The junior became the first Mercyhurst female ever to run a sub 18-minute time at such a distance during competition.
Turak's effort paced Mercyhurst to a sixth-place showing in the 10-team field. Her time was nearly 50 seconds ahead of the second place finisher.
Mercyhurst returns to action this weekend when the Lakers take on the Lock Haven Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 12, in Lock Haven, Pa.