BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Slippery Rock University men’s and women’s cross country teams opened their 2009 seasons Saturday at the Lake Padden Relays in Bellingham, Washington.

The meet consists of relay teams of four runners comprising a team and each runner completing a 2.59-mile loop.

The Rock competed with only three athletes for both the men and women, with one runner completing the first and last leg.

For the women’s team, Rebecca Younger ran the first and last legs, with Sarah Olesky and Sarah Thompson each running the middle legs. The Rock trio was the third college women’s team to finish, behind Seattle Pacific and Western Washington.

Eric Geddis ran the first and last legs for the men’s team, with Jon Snowden and Matt Mumford running the middle legs. The Rock was the fourth men’s team across the line, finishing in 56:20 and following two teams from Westen Washington and one unattached team.

Complete results of the Lake Padden Relays were not available on Saturday.

“It was really cold, windy and nasty,” said head coach John Papa. #We had some nice performances and this was really a low-key event to open the season.

The Rock will run its first official collegiate race of the season September 19 at the IUP Invitational, hosted by Indiana (Pa.).