Friday, October 18
University Park, Pa.
Lehigh University
at
Penn State National Open
WXC returns to action on Friday at Penn State National Open
10/17/2019 9:58:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After a much-needed break, the Lehigh women's cross country team has a busy weekend ahead of them. Starting on Friday, the Mountain Hawks will compete at the Penn State National open, while then running in the Leopard Invitational at Lafayette on Saturday morning.
Last time out, the Mountain Hawks finished 23rd in the 46th edition of the Paul Short Run. Competing in the 41-team field Gold Race, Lehigh struggled out of the gate, but gained positioning throughout the race to help themselves. Senior Hannah Bonaguidi was the first Brown and White runner to cross the line at 21:21.70, good enough for 112th. Susie Poore finished second and 128th overall at 21:28.40.
"I was happy that eight of our women had lifetime PRs," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "Though we were upset that a couple of teams slipped past us that we shouldn't have let slipped past us."
Being led by a strong upper-class, Lehigh didn't panic after the Paul Short Run. "It was a good wake-up call of how much we have to put ourselves up in front with some of the frontrunners," added Utesch. "We had a little rest, shook off some rust and responded with really good practices. These women respond really well to adversity."
On Friday, Bonaguidi, Poore, Ashleigh Crawford and Diana Hammerstone will charge into Penn State on a mission. "This race is a chance for our girls to take a little bit of a risk and run out in front," Utesch stated. "We have the ability to have frontrunners emerge and contend."
Friday's race will be a 20-team field featuring some of the best programs in the Eastern part of the country. The gun will go at 10:45 a.m.
At Lafayette on Saturday, senior Sydney Brannon, freshmen Madison Zaun and Annalise Davis will lead the charge at the Leopard Invitational. At Lafayette, some of the women competing will be wrapping up their season, while some will still be vying for a spot to make the Patriot League squad.
"Both races with weekend are big for us. Depth wise, we are still super strong, but we're still confident."
Check back Friday evening to find out how the women's team fared at the Penn State National Open.
Last time out, the Mountain Hawks finished 23rd in the 46th edition of the Paul Short Run. Competing in the 41-team field Gold Race, Lehigh struggled out of the gate, but gained positioning throughout the race to help themselves. Senior Hannah Bonaguidi was the first Brown and White runner to cross the line at 21:21.70, good enough for 112th. Susie Poore finished second and 128th overall at 21:28.40.
"I was happy that eight of our women had lifetime PRs," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "Though we were upset that a couple of teams slipped past us that we shouldn't have let slipped past us."
Being led by a strong upper-class, Lehigh didn't panic after the Paul Short Run. "It was a good wake-up call of how much we have to put ourselves up in front with some of the frontrunners," added Utesch. "We had a little rest, shook off some rust and responded with really good practices. These women respond really well to adversity."
On Friday, Bonaguidi, Poore, Ashleigh Crawford and Diana Hammerstone will charge into Penn State on a mission. "This race is a chance for our girls to take a little bit of a risk and run out in front," Utesch stated. "We have the ability to have frontrunners emerge and contend."
Friday's race will be a 20-team field featuring some of the best programs in the Eastern part of the country. The gun will go at 10:45 a.m.
At Lafayette on Saturday, senior Sydney Brannon, freshmen Madison Zaun and Annalise Davis will lead the charge at the Leopard Invitational. At Lafayette, some of the women competing will be wrapping up their season, while some will still be vying for a spot to make the Patriot League squad.
"Both races with weekend are big for us. Depth wise, we are still super strong, but we're still confident."
Check back Friday evening to find out how the women's team fared at the Penn State National Open.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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