Sept. 14, 2006

2006 Salty Seadog Invitational Information:

2006 Navy Information:

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - After claiming four dual-scoring victories during its season-opening meet two weeks ago, the Navy women's cross country team will host the Salty Seadog Invitational at the USNA Cross Country Course on Saturday at 10 a.m.

The Midshipmen (4-0) posted the lowest team score among five schools competing in the 6k race at Colgate's Harry Lang Invitational on Sept. 1. Navy defeated Syracuse, 21-34, Colgate, 20-38, Vermont, 19-44, and Saint Rose, 15-50. Navy recorded four of the eight-fastest time and landed eight runners among the top-20 finishers. Senior Justine Whipple (Duxbury, Mass.) won the meet with a time of 22:57, marking the fastest time in the race's history and fifth-best time in course history.

In addition to Navy, fellow Patriot League member American, George Washington, Howard, Loyola, Mount St. Mary's, Richmond, UMBC and VCU will compete in this year's Salty Seadog Invitational.

This Saturday's meet marks one of two Navy home dates at the USNA Cross Country Course in 2006. The Midshipmen will host Army for the annual Star Meet on Oct. 14, to be followed by the Alumni Open on the same day.

Navy has enjoyed much success on its home cross country course, boasting an all-time record of 90-11 (.891) in Annapolis. During last year's Salty Seadog Invitational, the Midshipmen posted the lowest team score and came away with six dual-scoring victories.

Senior Emily Castro (Centennial, Colo.) owns the fifth- and seventh-fastest Navy times in course history and will look to lead the Mids on Saturday. As a sophomore, Castro recorded a 23:11.07 time against Army and a 23:19.31 showing in the Salty Seadog Invitational. In last season's home meet, the senior placed third overall with a clocking of 23:51.49 on a warm and humid day in September.

Senior team captain Erin Demchko (Nanuet, N.Y.) and junior Kyleigh Millhouse (Boiling Springs, Pa.) are also expected to provide low scores for Navy this weekend. Last year, Demchko and Millhouse followed in sixth and seventh place, respectively, at the Sea Gull Invitational.

Navy will next head to University Park, Pa., for the Spiked Shoe Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at 10 a.m.