Valparaiso's men's cross country team opened its 2005 season on Friday evening hosting the Crusader Invitational. The Brown and Gold tied for sixth place in the event held at Sunset Hills Farm.

Notre Dame was the meet's winner with 26 points followed by Oakland with 35. The Crusaders tallied 148 on the afternoon and tied Wisconsin-Green Bay for the sixth spot.

Freshman Jim Turchyn (Batesville, Ind./Batesville H.S.) led the way for the Crusaders, placing 19th overall with a time of 27:00 over the eight-kilometer course. Mike Brouch (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) was second across the line for the Crusaders with a time of 27:38, placing 29th overall.

Adriano Schultz (Brecksville, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights H.S.) placed 36th overall with a mark of 27:55 while Rich Krupar (Elyria, Ohio/Midview H.S.) was five spots back with a time of 28:17. Jordan Stanfill (Goshen, Ind./Goshen H.S.) rounded out the top five with a 47th place finish with a time of 28:35.

Valpo will return to action on September 23 when the Crusaders compete at the George Dales Invitational in Three Rivers, Mich.