
Photo by: Don Paul
Cross Country Competes at Pre-Nationals and Leopard Invitational
10/15/2016 7:20:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Pre-Nationals Results (TFRRS)
Leopard Invitational Results (TFRRS)
Men's Stats Sheet
Women's Stats Sheet
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EASTON, Pa. – The Lehigh men's cross country team split to compete in two meets as part of a busy Saturday, taking home first place at the Leopard Invitational, in addition to sending seven runners to compete at the high-profile Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana. Lehigh's women were also in action for the second time in as many days, with four runners competing at the Leopard Invite.
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 The Mountain Hawks collected their second team win of the season, besting the other six competitors at the Leopard Invitational, finishing with an average time of 26:28. Lehigh held a strong grip on the front of the pack by taking four of the top six spots, and seven of the top 11 overall. Sophomore Brian Arita took third place overall out of the 86 finishers in 26:22.8 to lead the team and all Patriot League runners. Junior John Tolbert (26:26.9) was right behind in fourth place overall, followed by junior Christopher Mascetti (26:29.6) and sophomore Mitchell Daddario (26:30.1) finishing back-to-back in fifth and sixth places. Freshman Rafael Hernandez (26:31.2) finished eighth overall and senior Jack Curran rounded out the top 10 with his time of 26:41. Senior Kyle Leonard finished off Lehigh's scoring with an 11th place tally of 26:46.9.
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Senior Ryan Cooney led the way for Lehigh at Pre-Nationals with his time of 25:40.4. Alex Fitzgerald finished two slots behind Cooney in 157th place overall in 25:41.0. Sophomore Samuel Layding was third on the team in 174th place (25:46.8), while Jeffrey Kirshenbaum (26:14), Patrick Reilly (26:17.5), Matt Kravitz (26:26.3) and Ryan Grace (26:52.1) rounded out Lehigh's contingent. The field of 41 teams featured some of the top programs from across the country, who were competing on the same course that will host next month's NCAA Championships. Fourth-ranked Oregon took home the team title, with No. 5 Arkansas right behind in second place. As a team, Lehigh finished 38th out of 41, but the seven runners combined for an average time of 25:55, their second-fastest time of the season.
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After competing yesterday at the Penn State Nationals, the Lehigh women's cross country team sent four runners to compete at the Leopard Invitational at Lafayette. Senior Leah Holmes led the Lehigh pack of four runners for the first time this season in 24:35.1, finishing in 17th place overall out of 53 runners. Junior Jennifer Burke (20th/24:45.8), senior Anne Birkenmaier (35th/25:30.7) and freshman Sarah Boyer (40th/25:46.1) also competed for Lehigh, who did not qualify for team points.
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With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, the Mountain Hawks will now set their sights on the Patriot League Championships, which will be held in two weeks on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Lafayette.
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Leopard Invitational Results (TFRRS)
Men's Stats Sheet
Women's Stats Sheet
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EASTON, Pa. – The Lehigh men's cross country team split to compete in two meets as part of a busy Saturday, taking home first place at the Leopard Invitational, in addition to sending seven runners to compete at the high-profile Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana. Lehigh's women were also in action for the second time in as many days, with four runners competing at the Leopard Invite.
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 The Mountain Hawks collected their second team win of the season, besting the other six competitors at the Leopard Invitational, finishing with an average time of 26:28. Lehigh held a strong grip on the front of the pack by taking four of the top six spots, and seven of the top 11 overall. Sophomore Brian Arita took third place overall out of the 86 finishers in 26:22.8 to lead the team and all Patriot League runners. Junior John Tolbert (26:26.9) was right behind in fourth place overall, followed by junior Christopher Mascetti (26:29.6) and sophomore Mitchell Daddario (26:30.1) finishing back-to-back in fifth and sixth places. Freshman Rafael Hernandez (26:31.2) finished eighth overall and senior Jack Curran rounded out the top 10 with his time of 26:41. Senior Kyle Leonard finished off Lehigh's scoring with an 11th place tally of 26:46.9.
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Senior Ryan Cooney led the way for Lehigh at Pre-Nationals with his time of 25:40.4. Alex Fitzgerald finished two slots behind Cooney in 157th place overall in 25:41.0. Sophomore Samuel Layding was third on the team in 174th place (25:46.8), while Jeffrey Kirshenbaum (26:14), Patrick Reilly (26:17.5), Matt Kravitz (26:26.3) and Ryan Grace (26:52.1) rounded out Lehigh's contingent. The field of 41 teams featured some of the top programs from across the country, who were competing on the same course that will host next month's NCAA Championships. Fourth-ranked Oregon took home the team title, with No. 5 Arkansas right behind in second place. As a team, Lehigh finished 38th out of 41, but the seven runners combined for an average time of 25:55, their second-fastest time of the season.
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After competing yesterday at the Penn State Nationals, the Lehigh women's cross country team sent four runners to compete at the Leopard Invitational at Lafayette. Senior Leah Holmes led the Lehigh pack of four runners for the first time this season in 24:35.1, finishing in 17th place overall out of 53 runners. Junior Jennifer Burke (20th/24:45.8), senior Anne Birkenmaier (35th/25:30.7) and freshman Sarah Boyer (40th/25:46.1) also competed for Lehigh, who did not qualify for team points.
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With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, the Mountain Hawks will now set their sights on the Patriot League Championships, which will be held in two weeks on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Lafayette.
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Players Mentioned
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Cross Country
Wednesday, October 01
2025 Lehigh Men's Cross Country Season Preview
Thursday, August 28
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Cross Country
Wednesday, October 02
2024 Men's Cross Country season preview
Thursday, August 29