Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh unveils 2009 cross country schedule
8/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Head coaches Debbie Utesch and Todd Etters have announced the Mountain Hawks’ 2009 cross country schedule, which includes two home dates, including the 36th Paul Short Run in early October on the Goodman Campus. Lehigh will kick off its cross country season by hosting the Lehigh Valley Championship on September 4.
“Our schedule this year really fits well into what we are trying to do,” Etters explained. “We have several national class meets and we are traveling to some places for the first time, which is always exciting. Having a competition every other week really allows our men to focus differently and should give us some flexibility in the training. I know the guys are training hard and are excited to face the challenges that our schedule holds.”
Utesch offered her thoughts on her team’s prospects for this season. “Despite the graduation of frontrunner Shannon Alejandro and others that had made quite an impact in the Lehigh Cross Country program, I am extremely optimistic about the 2009 season. We have a fast freshmen class that is ready to test their spikes on the college trails and this schedule will certainly provide plenty of opportunities to do that.” She continued, “These young ladies will join a core of very talented upperclassmen led by All-League performer Alexis Weiner, former Patriot League Rookie of the Year Kaitlin Grimm, and Katherine Pierce who is fresh off winning three medals at the Maccabiah Games this summer.”
Utesch added, “On paper Navy is the front running team in the Patriot League this year, but we have an amazing group of women that are ready to exceed expectations and are hungry to challenge some similarly talented teams for a Patriot League title this fall.”
Following the Lehigh Valley Championship, the Mountain Hawks will head to Easton two weeks later to take on archrival Lafayette on September 19. The first race is set to begin at 10:00AM. Lehigh has had the upper hand in the rivalry of late as the men have defeated the Leopards ten consecutive times and the women have come out on top in four straight.
The Paul Short Run will take place on Friday, October 2 on the Goodman Campus. The first race is scheduled for 11:00 and figures to once again feature some of the top teams from across the nation. Last year, more than 4,000 runners converged on the Goodman Campus for the annual race.
After Lehigh plays host to the Paul Short Run, the Mountain Hawks will finish the month of October with three races on the road. The Mountain Hawks will first head to State College for the Penn State National Invite on October 16. The next day, on October 17, select team members will head to Easton for the Lafayette Invitational and the entire team will finish the month off in Hamilton, New York at the Patriot League Championships on October 31.
“One of the biggest advantages to our schedule is that it looks like we will have the opportunity to face off against most of the teams in our league before we head to Hamilton for the Patriot League Championship,” Etters commented. “Going head-to-head against the other teams in the league is always a challenge, but something we really look forward to.”
The Mountain Hawks will receive a brief rest in the beginning of November, before heading to Princess Anne, Maryland for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Qualifiers on November 14. On November 23 the NCAA Championship will take place in Terre Haute, Indiana.
