Saturday, November 2
Hamilton, N.Y.
Lehigh University
at
Patriot League Championships
Photo by: Don Paul
"Get the job done"; WXC heads to Colgate looking to claim Patriot League crown
11/1/2019 10:35:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – All season long, the Lehigh women's cross country team has built its season around Saturday's race. What Is Saturday? On Saturday, the Mountain Hawks will embark on a mission to claim the Patriot League Championship at 12:00 p.m. This year's PL Championship will be held at Colgate University at the Harry H. Lang Cross Country Course.
Throughout the season, Lehigh competed in seven events to prepare for this race. The women were carful out of the gate, splitting the squad for the first two races of the season. When the team ran full strength, they knew they could accomplish winning the conference.
"As the season progressed, I think the confidence level of our team has improved," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "Their ability to run as a team, trade places and pushing each other forward as a pack has all given our team great confidence."
"Coach Deb is the best coach," stated senior Diana Hammerstone. "She has been coaching and supporting us throughout all of our successes and victories. Even if we don't run our best, she'll be the first person to turn it into a positive. It feels as though she has more confidence in us than we sometimes have in ourselves."
Some highlights during the season came winning their home event, the Lehigh Invitational. Lehigh then dominated its rival Lafayette, followed by winning the CCSU Ted Owen Invitational and setting multiple individual PRs at the 46th Paul Short Run.
Lehigh did run this course early on in the season. In their second race of the season, the Mountain Hawks raced the Harry Lang Invitational. Once there, Lehigh got to study the terrain and experience the hilly course. The only thing to take note is that they did not run the full course last time. When they raced there, it wasn't a true 6K and they didn't get a chance to run the last loop after the hill.
"We've been working on the finer points of running up and down hills the past week and a half," added Utesch. "Learning how to be patient, learning when we need to press and gain ground has been a focus point."
Saturday's race has the potential to be a dandy. Bucknell has won the last four Patriot League Championships, while Boston and the Mountain Hawks have the talent to dethrone the Blue and Orange.
The Mountain Hawks have never won a Patriot League crown, but have gotten close recently. In the past three years, Lehigh has finished twice in second. The senior class is ready to take the next step and accomplish first. "The entire year, our seniors have worked really hard. They're probably tired of being in second, and I know they want to bring home a title." Utesch said.
"We've been second twice, we feel we're ready to win" said Hammerstone. "Regardless of how I do individually, if we win the title, that's all I care about."
Expect Hammerstone, Susie Poore, Hannah Bonaguidi and Ashleigh Crawford to lead the way in this race.
In most college sports, the coach makes a motivational speech to their team. Ten minutes from Saturday's race, Utesch and her team will line up near box and she will deliver her last message before the gun goes off. "Here is what I'm going to tell them, I want them to know that I have confidence in their ability. I have their back no matter what happens, and they need to look around at each other and believe and trust their teammates." concluded Utesch.
Up next, no matter how the Brown and White fare at Colgate on Saturday, they will still compete and host the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on November. 15.
Throughout the season, Lehigh competed in seven events to prepare for this race. The women were carful out of the gate, splitting the squad for the first two races of the season. When the team ran full strength, they knew they could accomplish winning the conference.
"As the season progressed, I think the confidence level of our team has improved," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "Their ability to run as a team, trade places and pushing each other forward as a pack has all given our team great confidence."
"Coach Deb is the best coach," stated senior Diana Hammerstone. "She has been coaching and supporting us throughout all of our successes and victories. Even if we don't run our best, she'll be the first person to turn it into a positive. It feels as though she has more confidence in us than we sometimes have in ourselves."
Some highlights during the season came winning their home event, the Lehigh Invitational. Lehigh then dominated its rival Lafayette, followed by winning the CCSU Ted Owen Invitational and setting multiple individual PRs at the 46th Paul Short Run.
Lehigh did run this course early on in the season. In their second race of the season, the Mountain Hawks raced the Harry Lang Invitational. Once there, Lehigh got to study the terrain and experience the hilly course. The only thing to take note is that they did not run the full course last time. When they raced there, it wasn't a true 6K and they didn't get a chance to run the last loop after the hill.
"We've been working on the finer points of running up and down hills the past week and a half," added Utesch. "Learning how to be patient, learning when we need to press and gain ground has been a focus point."
Saturday's race has the potential to be a dandy. Bucknell has won the last four Patriot League Championships, while Boston and the Mountain Hawks have the talent to dethrone the Blue and Orange.
The Mountain Hawks have never won a Patriot League crown, but have gotten close recently. In the past three years, Lehigh has finished twice in second. The senior class is ready to take the next step and accomplish first. "The entire year, our seniors have worked really hard. They're probably tired of being in second, and I know they want to bring home a title." Utesch said.
"We've been second twice, we feel we're ready to win" said Hammerstone. "Regardless of how I do individually, if we win the title, that's all I care about."
Expect Hammerstone, Susie Poore, Hannah Bonaguidi and Ashleigh Crawford to lead the way in this race.
In most college sports, the coach makes a motivational speech to their team. Ten minutes from Saturday's race, Utesch and her team will line up near box and she will deliver her last message before the gun goes off. "Here is what I'm going to tell them, I want them to know that I have confidence in their ability. I have their back no matter what happens, and they need to look around at each other and believe and trust their teammates." concluded Utesch.
Up next, no matter how the Brown and White fare at Colgate on Saturday, they will still compete and host the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on November. 15.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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