Valparaiso kicked off the 2009 Horizon League Outdoor Championships in Lisle, Ill. on Friday evening as multiple athletes competed in both the 10,000m run and the hammer throw.

Freshman Natalie McCorriston (Lansdowne, Pa./Cardinal O’Hara) led the Crusader women on the day, posting an 11th-place finish in the hammer throw.  McCorriston registered a toss of 131’0”, a season-best in the event.  Caitlin Sauerhage (Rising Sun, Ind./Rising Sun [Indiana]) paced the Crusaders in the 10K with a 12th-place showing, crossing the line in 40:59.44.

Valpo did not register any points on the first day of competition, while Youngstown State currently leads the team standings with 21 points.  The Crusaders return to the track for the second of three days of competition on Saturday at 10 a.m.