Cross country wins George Kyte Classic

FLAGSTAFF - Seniors Juwan Nuvayokua and Susie Rutherford led the Northern Arizona cross country teams out of the gate Saturday, winning the men's 8-kilometer and women's 5k in typical NAU fashion while taking home the championship trophies for their individual wins.

The George Kyte Classic, in its 22nd year, has become the traditional season opener and only home meet for NAU. The teams from NAU defeated Southern Utah on both sides, as well as several Arizona junior colleges. The NAU men won its third-straight George Kyte team title, while the women's win streak dates back to 1987.

Nuvayokua won his second-straight George Kyte Classic, bettering his 2000 time of 26:10 to 25:57.55. Nuvayokua was followed closely by sophomore Travis Laird who finished in 25:57.82 and senior Bruno Mazzotta (3rd, 26:04.03). Rutherford finished in 18:42.48 and was followed by Ida Nillsson (18:49.52).

"I was especially impressed with some individual efforts and groupings, considering the athletes we have (Nuvayokua, Rutherford)," said NAU head coach Ron Mann. Shaun Martin ran extremely well (10th-place, 26:50.61), as did Ida Nillsson and Erika Edwards (5th, 10:31.03).

The Lumberjacks next competition comes Sept. 8 at the UC Irvine Invitational.