Lehigh University Athletics

Photo by: Don Paul
Women's Cross Country Ready for Rival Lafayette
9/17/2015 4:10:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's cross country team will look to build on its season-opening victory this Saturday when they travel to Easton, Pa. for its annual dual meet against Lafayette.
The Mountain Hawks will be looking for their 11th straight victory over the Leopards in the 6K event, which is scheduled for a 10:45 a.m. start.
"It's a huge race of pride and tradition," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "I always like it best when we're the first sport to kick off the rivalry because we take a lot of pride in being able to set the tone for the department and walk away with a men's and women's win."
In last season's race at Lehigh's Goodman Campus Cross Country Course, the Mountain Hawks took home 14 of the top 15 spots in the field of 28 competitors, with Elizabeth Weiler taking the individual title, and departed senior Ingrid Simon finishing right behind her in second. Ashley Strysko and Sarah Spring finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to round out the top five.
Lehigh took home the top spot of the Division I race at the Lehigh Invitational on Sept. 4, scoring a total of 27 points to top Delaware and La Salle. Shannon Wright was the top Mountain Hawk finisher at the event, placing third in the 6K event with a time of 22:45.7. Lafayette opened their season with a second place finish out of six teams at the Monmouth XC Kick-Off on Sept. 5.
"They have a very good front runner in Stephanie Benko," Utesch added. "As a senior on her home course, she has the potential to win the meet. But we also have a pretty nice pack of women that worked together very well in our first meet that are going to be right there looking to challenge her through the whole race. We're really looking to develop a very strong pack behind our front runners."
A complete recap will be available on www.lehighsports.com following the meet.
Click here to learn more about one of the nation's most long-standing and storied rivalries - Lehigh vs. Lafayette
Following this dual meet, Lehigh's next meet will come on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Ted Owen Invitational at Central Connecticut State.
The Mountain Hawks will be looking for their 11th straight victory over the Leopards in the 6K event, which is scheduled for a 10:45 a.m. start.
"It's a huge race of pride and tradition," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "I always like it best when we're the first sport to kick off the rivalry because we take a lot of pride in being able to set the tone for the department and walk away with a men's and women's win."
In last season's race at Lehigh's Goodman Campus Cross Country Course, the Mountain Hawks took home 14 of the top 15 spots in the field of 28 competitors, with Elizabeth Weiler taking the individual title, and departed senior Ingrid Simon finishing right behind her in second. Ashley Strysko and Sarah Spring finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to round out the top five.
Lehigh took home the top spot of the Division I race at the Lehigh Invitational on Sept. 4, scoring a total of 27 points to top Delaware and La Salle. Shannon Wright was the top Mountain Hawk finisher at the event, placing third in the 6K event with a time of 22:45.7. Lafayette opened their season with a second place finish out of six teams at the Monmouth XC Kick-Off on Sept. 5.
"They have a very good front runner in Stephanie Benko," Utesch added. "As a senior on her home course, she has the potential to win the meet. But we also have a pretty nice pack of women that worked together very well in our first meet that are going to be right there looking to challenge her through the whole race. We're really looking to develop a very strong pack behind our front runners."
A complete recap will be available on www.lehighsports.com following the meet.
Click here to learn more about one of the nation's most long-standing and storied rivalries - Lehigh vs. Lafayette
Following this dual meet, Lehigh's next meet will come on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Ted Owen Invitational at Central Connecticut State.
Players Mentioned
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