Friday, August 30
Bethlehem, Pa.
6:15 p.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Lehigh Invitational
Women's Cross Country Wins Lehigh Invitational With Strong Team Showing
8/30/2019 8:51:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – "It's always good to win." Those were the words from head coach Debbie Utesch as the Lehigh women's cross country team battled its way in the 6k race and won the Lehigh Invitational on Friday evening.
The Brown and White finished atop the leaderboard with a low score of 57, just barely getting by the Explorers of La Salle who finished second with a score of 58.
Competing with a partial squad, the Mountain Hawks showed great potential as they finished ahead of good teams such as La Salle, West Virginia and Temple. "It's interesting with a lot of these early meets in August and September," said Utesch. "Teams decide whether to use a partial squad or a workout scenario. It's so nice to come away with a one-point win in an early season meet.
Susie Poore was the top finisher for Lehigh on Friday. The junior ran steady the entire race and never slowed down as she recorded an eighth-place finish at 22:38.12. "I was very excited coming into today. We are a really good team when it comes to pack running and that's why we won today.
"I'm so happy for Susie," said Utesch. "She has struggled with injuries throughout her career and it's great to have her healthy and happy.
One of the big performers of the day was freshman Andrea Miller. The freshman showed why she belongs as she was the second Mountain Hawk to cross the finish line and finished ninth with a time of 22:46.34.
"Andrea was a huge bright spot for us. She was the first freshman of the meet and an awesome way to open her collegiate career.
Out of the gate, the Mountain Hawks ran together for a good portion of the race. As it progressed, Hannah Bonaguidi was the leader for the Brown and White at the halfway point. Towards the conclusion of the race in the final mile where it's mostly downhill, all Lehigh runners stormed forward to finish strong.
Nicole Abbondanlo was the third finisher for Lehigh, finishing in 14th with a time of 22:57.42, while Bonaguidi rounded out the top-15, registering a time of 22:58.56.
Recording a 16th place finish, Martina Sella finished just four seconds behind Bonaguidi with a time of 23:02.15. Also, Kara Bonner tallied a 20th place finish with a time of 23:08.45.
Up next, the Mountain Hawks will travel to Colgate next Saturday for the Harry Lang Invitational.
The Brown and White finished atop the leaderboard with a low score of 57, just barely getting by the Explorers of La Salle who finished second with a score of 58.
Competing with a partial squad, the Mountain Hawks showed great potential as they finished ahead of good teams such as La Salle, West Virginia and Temple. "It's interesting with a lot of these early meets in August and September," said Utesch. "Teams decide whether to use a partial squad or a workout scenario. It's so nice to come away with a one-point win in an early season meet.
Susie Poore was the top finisher for Lehigh on Friday. The junior ran steady the entire race and never slowed down as she recorded an eighth-place finish at 22:38.12. "I was very excited coming into today. We are a really good team when it comes to pack running and that's why we won today.
"I'm so happy for Susie," said Utesch. "She has struggled with injuries throughout her career and it's great to have her healthy and happy.
One of the big performers of the day was freshman Andrea Miller. The freshman showed why she belongs as she was the second Mountain Hawk to cross the finish line and finished ninth with a time of 22:46.34.
"Andrea was a huge bright spot for us. She was the first freshman of the meet and an awesome way to open her collegiate career.
Out of the gate, the Mountain Hawks ran together for a good portion of the race. As it progressed, Hannah Bonaguidi was the leader for the Brown and White at the halfway point. Towards the conclusion of the race in the final mile where it's mostly downhill, all Lehigh runners stormed forward to finish strong.
Nicole Abbondanlo was the third finisher for Lehigh, finishing in 14th with a time of 22:57.42, while Bonaguidi rounded out the top-15, registering a time of 22:58.56.
Recording a 16th place finish, Martina Sella finished just four seconds behind Bonaguidi with a time of 23:02.15. Also, Kara Bonner tallied a 20th place finish with a time of 23:08.45.
Up next, the Mountain Hawks will travel to Colgate next Saturday for the Harry Lang Invitational.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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