PacWest Press Release

Phoenix, AZ -- The Academy of Art University women's cross country team placed two runners, senior Irinel Zamfir and junior Cassandra Schumacher, on the Pacific West Conference Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll this week. Pushing through their first 6k race of the season, both Urban Knights had strong runs at the 2010 SF State Invitational. The honors were announced by the PacWest Media Office in Phoenix, AZ, on Monday, Oct. 10, for races contested on Oct. 8-9.



A four-time Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll recipient this season, Zamfir came through with a 32nd place run to lead ART U. Her time of 23:53 was ahead of all competitors from Central Washington as well as Cal State Monterey Bay. In three total SF State Invitational meets over her career, Zamfir's time and placement this past Friday were her second best.



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Schumacher, who persevered through sickness in the meet, crossed the line at 47th overall with a time of 24:23. As this was her first 6k race as an Urban Knight, Schumacher's performance was good for the second best of Academy of Art University in the team's 10th place result. She finished in front of all runners from PacWest opponents Dominican and Notre Dame de Namur.




“Irinel took another 10 seconds off her time so she's definitely getting back into shape and looking strong,” Assistant Coach Anne Ricketts said. “Cassandra ran really well considering she was sick. Since this was our first 6k this season, it was good for the team and I think we're looking forward to next week too. We'll be training this week in preparation for Santa Clara.”

Zamfir earns her fourth Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll selection for this season and the sixth in her career. Schumacher has now been chosen for the Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll twice in 2010.