PacWest Press Release

Phoenix, AZ -- Following the first meet of the season, the Academy of Art University women's cross country team had three selected for the Pacific West Conference Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll. Senior Irinel Zamfir, freshman Kylie Long, and junior Leticia Saldaña all represented the Urban Knights on the weekly list. The selections were announced by the PacWest Media Office in Phoenix, AZ, on Monday, Sept. 7, for races contested on Sept. 4.


At the USF Invitational this past Saturday, Zamfir battled back from an injury to capture 58th place among four-year contestants with a time of 20:56 on the 5k course at Golden Gate Park. The Suceava, Romania native who earned the distinction of 2009 PacWest Newcomer of the Year finished ahead of numerous runners from Sonoma State and Saint Mary's.







Long, known for her track & field success at the high school level, took 60th among four-year contestants with a time of 21:04 in not only her first meet for Academy of Art University, but the first cross country race of her career according to Assistant Coach Anne Ricketts.

"This was her first cross country race so she did a great job," Coach Ricketts said. "She can run much faster, but she was getting her feet wet."




Saldaña, the third and final Knight garnering a spot on the Honor Roll, crossed the line with a time of 22:01. Her 73rd place finish among four-year contestants qualified Saldaña as the fourth ART U finisher.

This is the third PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll of Zamfir's career and her first of the season. It is the first ever selection for Long and Saldaña.