The women’s cross country team placed Third on Saturday, October 1 at the Dickinson Long/Short Invitational.
“This is a unique invitational,” explained head coach Brian Yowler. “In addition to the typical 6K distance there is a shorter 4K option. The top three runners from each team is scored in each race and the scores are combined to determine the final team rankings.”
He continued, “In cross country, your team is only as good as your last scored runner. Although our top runners turned in some great performances, the solid races by our #3 runner in each race made the difference for us today.”
“Lydia Swartzbaugh (4K) and Amy Lesser (6K) turned in performances that far exceeded my pre-race predictions,” said Yowler. “Without a doubt, these two are going to play a big role as we look forward to the PAC and Regional Championship meet.”
Lydia Swartzbaugh (Spartansburg, PA/Spartansburg) earned a time of 16:33.3 in the women’s 4K for a 15th place finish.
Amy Lesser (Colorado Springs, CO/Homeschool) finished the 6K for 11th place posting a time of 25:57.9.
“Getting Becca Miller back from injury and having her finish as our top runner in the 6K was a really nice boost for our women's team. Hannah Mansell, just edging out Madelyn, continues to blossom as a sophomore. She was 1:21 faster than last year!” said Yowler.
Rebecca Miller (Spring Grove, PA/Spring Grove) recorded a time of 25:28.0 in the 6K for a ninth place finish.
Hannah Mansell (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) and Madelyn Blosser (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) controlled the sixth and seventh place finishes in the 4K race with times of 16:04.6 and 16:04.7.
“Up next is a race that we all circle on the calendar, the Inter-Regional Rumble at Oberlin College,” Yolwer continued, “The course is pancake flat and crazy competitive. It is like a track meet on grass. We are well prepared so we expect that everyone will run wicked fast times!”
The women’s race at Oberlin College’s Inter-Regional Rumble will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 15.
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