Mountain Hawks Shine at Lehigh Invitational: Three Athletes Finish in Top 15!

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women’s cross country team kicked off their season at the Goodman Campus during the Lehigh Invitational. They finished third in a competitive field that included teams like Moravian, DeSales, West Virginia, Bucknell, Muhlenberg, and Saint Joseph’s. Although they were only eight points shy of second place, Bucknell captured the spotlight with their top four finishers.

First-year runner Zoë Louis made a memorable debut, finishing fifth overall with a time of 21:55.2. Head coach Debbie Utesch praised her performance, saying, “She went right off the start and ran with some really top dogs. It was a strong first effort for her over 6,000 meters.”

Sophomore Sadie Millett followed closely behind, finishing in the top ten with a personal best of 22:29.6, improving her time by 20 seconds. Another sophomore, Kaya Meler, also set a new collegiate best, crossing the line in 22:37.7 for 15th place.

Rounding out the team were first-year Courtney Cane (20th, 22:49.5) and junior Devon Sutton (22nd, 22:52.0). Both had strong performances for their season openers. Newcomers Emma Hyde (23:11.1) and Katelyn Nolan (23:33.2) joined the mix, finishing 25th and 30th, respectively.

Reflecting on the meet, Utesch noted that new opportunities arose for several runners who weren’t in the top seven last season. “I’m pretty excited about the women’s side when we put the whole squad together,” she said.

This season holds promise, especially with more competition ahead. The team will be back on the Goodman Campus in two weeks to face Lafayette in the much-anticipated rivalry match on September 13th.

Insights and Trends

Cross country participation among women has surged recently. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, female participation in high school cross country increased by nearly 20% over the last decade. This rise reflects a growing interest in endurance sports, highlighting the importance of programs like Lehigh’s in supporting young athletes.

As social media buzzes around the event, fans and families share their expectations and excitement using hashtags related to collegiate sports. This camaraderie can enhance team spirit and community support, which is crucial for athletes.

In the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see how Lehigh capitalizes on this early momentum. As more runners find their stride, they could challenge themselves and their competitors throughout the season. For more about collegiate women’s athletics, visit the NCAA’s website here.

Source link