DePaul Cross Country Heads to Joe Piane Invitational
This Friday, DePaul’s cross country team is back in South Bend, Indiana, for the Joe Piane Invitational. Both the men’s and women’s teams will race in the gold division. The women will kick things off with their 5K at 11:50 a.m. CT, followed by the men’s 8K at 12:30 p.m. CT. The races are set at the Burke Cross Country Course, a venue known for its competitive atmosphere.
Recently, both teams showed promise. In their last outing at Notre Dame’s National Catholic Championships, they finished in the top four. Sophomore Mohamed Abdullahi stood out in the men’s race, finishing 14th with a personal best time, over a minute faster than his previous record. Tessa Roe, another sophomore, also achieved a personal record in the women’s 5K, crossing the line in 17:38.00, which earned her 14th place. All in all, 18 team members set personal records at this event on September 19, highlighting their growth.
DePaul last ran at the Joe Piane Invitational in 2017, where the men’s team placed 13th and the women’s team came in 21st. This year, it’s a chance for them to surpass those results and build on their recent success.
The competition will be tough. In the men’s race, DePaul will meet 21 other teams, including Purdue Fort Wayne and Marquette. The women will go up against schools like Ball State and Cleveland State.
Looking ahead, the Blue Demons will make their next stop in Peoria, Illinois, for the Bradley Pink Invitational on October 17.
For those interested in the live results of the race, they can be found here.
