Lehigh splits with Lafayette

Bethlehem, PA – The men allowed only two Lafayette runners into the top 10, but the Mountain Hawk women could not crack the Leopards top three, as Lehigh split a duel meet with rival Lafayette.

The men drubbed Lafayette by a final of 18-45. Sophomore Mark Swanson took away an individual victory as well, as he was the race’s only runner to crack 26:00, finishing in 25:58. Freshman teammate Rob Hampson placed second with his time of 26:19. Only Lafayette’s Kevin Penderghest prevent the Brown & White from notching the perfect score of 15, as Lehigh also took places four through eight. Freshman Ryan O’Donnell, sophomore Alex Hudgins, and freshman Tyler Spencer finished within five seconds of one another. O’Donnell placed fourth at 26:29, Hudgins fifth in 26:32 and Spencer was sixth with his time of 26:34.

"It was a great team effort," head coach Deb Utesch remarked. "They ran together for the first three miles then put the hammer down. Only one Lafayette runner stayed with them. It was a good win."

On the women’s side, Lehigh fell 23-32. Lafayette’s Rian Landers was the overall champ with her time of 22:27. Landers would have teammates Bonnie Kretchik and Mary Gillis follow her across the line as the Leopards took places one through three. Senior Maureen Schaub led a foursome of Lehigh runners who placed four through seven, just six seconds separating the group. Schaub led the way with her time of 23:14. Freshman Jenna Breidinger was next, followed by co-captains Edann Brady and Chrissy Boyd. Breidinger finished the course with her time of 23:17, while Brady came in one second later, two seconds ahead of Boyd. Sophomore Deanna Willard finished the Lehigh scoring, placing 10th with her time of 23:52.

"The women did everything they could," Utesch said. "But, we let them go 1-2-3, and, mathematically, you can’t win if the other team does that. Our pack of four ran great, but they just couldn’t move up with Lafayette. It’s disappointing four our seniors, it’s the only time they’ve lost to Lafayette."

The Mountain Hawks will return to action on Saturday, October 19th when the top 12 men and women travel to the Albany Invitational. All other runners will take part in an invitational at DeSales University.

Scoring

Men

Team

Score

Lafayette

Lehigh

Women

Team

Score

Lafayette

Lehigh

Men’s Individual Standings

Place

Runner

School

Time

Mark Swanson

Lehigh