CHICAGO - The Wichita State University women's cross country team captured the collegiate title with juniors Tonya Nero and Leah Thompson leading the way for the Shockers in second and third place, respectively, as the men's and women's teams competed at the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Chicago, Ill.

Wichita State was one of over 50 universities at the meet with 75 high schools and elementary schools along with 20 collegiate clubs running in the day's festivities.

The WSU women's team won the team title (out of 34 schools) with three Shocker women finishing in the top 10. Tonya Nero was the second finisher across the line in a time of 17:48 with teammate Leah Thompson right on her heels (17:49). Senior Irene Kosgei finished with a time of 18:12 to come in eighth place out of 378 runners.

Senior Olivia Martinez and Rachel York rounded out the top five for WSU, with Martinez coming home in 18:34 (20th) and York crossing the line in 19:01 (38th).

The WSU men finished in eighth place out of 39 (250 pts.) with junior Marius Sava leading the squad in 15th place. Sava finished the course in a time of 25:40. Sophomore Trace Kendrick was the next Shocker to finish, clocking in at 26:08 (37th). Freshman Jake Wike was next to finish the course, coming in 67th place in a time of 26:40.

Scott Ufford (78th, 26:48) and Brandon Haist (87th, 26:52) also scored for the Shockers.

The WSU men's and women's cross country teams will take a week off before traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Chile Pepper Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17. It will be the final tune-up for Wichita State before the Missouri Valley Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31.