Mario Ospina set a new school 8k record and finished fifth out of 58 runners as Salem University placed fourth out of eight runners in the men's cross country event at the Mercyhurst University Race In The Park Saturday at Erie, Pa. In the women's race, Salem was seventh out of eight teams as Asia Hines was the Tigers' top finisher.
 
Ospina, who was one of three Tiger runners to place in the top 15, posted a time of 28:05 for the fastest 8,000 meter time in Salem men's cross country history. Isaiah Harris (29:05.08) finished 13th, a fraction of a second ahead of teammate Dominic Mazzariel (29:06.1) in 14th place.
 
Anthony Cole (33:20) finished 38th, while Delmar Jeter and Xavier Engleton finished in a virtual tie for 54th with a time of 40:11.6.
 
Salem collected 114 points to finish 13 points ahead of West Virginia Wesleyan College. Gannon University won the team event.
 
On the women's side, Hines finished 55th out of 82 runners with a time of 23:64 in the 5k race. Cerise Dingiswayo (27:44) finished 72nd, Keara Wilson-Crockett (29:05) was 76th, Ashia King (35:49) placed 79th and Indira Rauf (39:10) was 81st.
 
In the team standings, Salem compiled 234 points to finish six points ahead of La Roche University. Seton Hill University captured the women's team title.
 
The Salem men's and women's cross country teams return to action next Saturday as the Tigers travel to Lemont Furnace, Pa., to compete in the Penn State-Fayette Meet.