Friday, November 15
University Park, Pa.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
vs
NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional
Photo by: Don Paul
Mountain Hawks Wrap Up Season At NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional
11/15/2024 3:29:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Lehigh women's cross country concluded their season on Friday afternoon from the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on the campus of Penn State University. The Mountain Hawks finished 14th to finish within the top 50% of competing schools.
"This was a much better race than our last," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "We battled, we closed the gap, and I was very proud of the women in the way they packed up and raced together."
Running in her first-ever regional event, first-year Kaitlyn Highduch ended her season with a first-place finish amongst all Lehigh runners. The Mohnton, Pa. native placed 71st out of 214 competing student-athletes, finishing the 6K race in 21:33.7.
"Sometimes in women's cross country you get stuck in this pre-conceived pecking order of where you think you belong," said Utesch. "[Kaitlyn] had the courage to go take it and be our first runner today. What a great setup for the rest of her career to be our top runner at this level as a first-year."
Senior Maddison Hayes also ran well in her final collegiate cross country race, placing 76th in 21:42.3.
"Maddie Hayes has had such a consistent season helping lead the team," said Utesch. "To get Patriot League all-academic for a second year, it's been a great year for her."
Rounding out the top three for the Mountain Hawks was junior Lucy Afanasewicz, who finished 82nd with a time of 21:46.0.
"I want to shout out Maddie and Lucy for pulling Kaitlyn along," said Utesch. "The very few upperclassmen we have on this team have done a tremendous job of setting a tone for what our culture is."
Other finishers for Lehigh on the day included senior Savanah Beavers (96th, 21:55.7), sophomore Grace Hughes (100th, 22:04.5), sophomore Hope Trimmer (125th, 22:26.8) and first-year Sadie Millett (149th, 22:53.6).
Lehigh placed 14th out of 30 schools at Friday's regional, scoring 425 points on the day. The Mountain Hawks now set their sights on the spring track and field season.
"Once we get into track, all of our cross country athletes kind of split into different event groups that are more tailored to their specific skillsets are runners," said Utesch. "It gives them a chance to actually step out and execute what works well for them, and that will bring them back together as more experienced cross country women next fall."
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
ÂGallery: (11-15-2024) 2024 NCAA XC Mid-Atlantic Regionals
"This was a much better race than our last," said head coach Debbie Utesch. "We battled, we closed the gap, and I was very proud of the women in the way they packed up and raced together."
Running in her first-ever regional event, first-year Kaitlyn Highduch ended her season with a first-place finish amongst all Lehigh runners. The Mohnton, Pa. native placed 71st out of 214 competing student-athletes, finishing the 6K race in 21:33.7.
"Sometimes in women's cross country you get stuck in this pre-conceived pecking order of where you think you belong," said Utesch. "[Kaitlyn] had the courage to go take it and be our first runner today. What a great setup for the rest of her career to be our top runner at this level as a first-year."
Senior Maddison Hayes also ran well in her final collegiate cross country race, placing 76th in 21:42.3.
"Maddie Hayes has had such a consistent season helping lead the team," said Utesch. "To get Patriot League all-academic for a second year, it's been a great year for her."
Rounding out the top three for the Mountain Hawks was junior Lucy Afanasewicz, who finished 82nd with a time of 21:46.0.
"I want to shout out Maddie and Lucy for pulling Kaitlyn along," said Utesch. "The very few upperclassmen we have on this team have done a tremendous job of setting a tone for what our culture is."
Other finishers for Lehigh on the day included senior Savanah Beavers (96th, 21:55.7), sophomore Grace Hughes (100th, 22:04.5), sophomore Hope Trimmer (125th, 22:26.8) and first-year Sadie Millett (149th, 22:53.6).
Lehigh placed 14th out of 30 schools at Friday's regional, scoring 425 points on the day. The Mountain Hawks now set their sights on the spring track and field season.
"Once we get into track, all of our cross country athletes kind of split into different event groups that are more tailored to their specific skillsets are runners," said Utesch. "It gives them a chance to actually step out and execute what works well for them, and that will bring them back together as more experienced cross country women next fall."
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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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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