The West Virginia University Cross Country team opened their season Friday, August 29 at the Lehigh Invitational with a second-place finish in the team standings. Read more: WVU Cross Country Completes Lehigh Invitational With Second Place Finish.
Frazer Shines with Top-10 Finish
West Virginia freshman Aislinn Frazer had an exceptional performance as she crossed the line in sixth place overall with a time of 22:03. Redshirt senior Tatiana Moura finished right behind Frazer at seventh place with a time of 22:07.4. Juniors Eva Rinker and Audrey Hall, along with redshirt sophomore Mary Delaney, completed the top five scoring lineup for West Virginia.
Coach Cleary’s Comments After Lehigh Invitational
“We got a lot out of this trip to Lehigh. As with most races we had some very good performances and some that needed a little work.”
“The group that we raced today did a wonderful job representing themselves and WVU. The next time we race at Lehigh it will be at the NCAA Regionals, we will be better prepared because of this race.” -Cleary
How The Competition Fared
Saint Joseph’s
The Saint Joseph’s women’s cross country team earned a fourth-place finish among seven teams. Sophomore Sabrina Paz led the Hawks with a standout 14th-place finish, clocking a personal best of 22:36.0.
She was closely followed by Grace Rudder, who took 16th at 22:40.0, and Katrina Endres, who placed 17th at 22:41.4. Chloe Care contributed a 27th-place finish with a time of 23:16.0, while Ali Fink rounded out the scorers for Saint Joseph’s in 29th at 23:32.6.
Khya D’Angelo crossed the line in 31st at 23:34.5, with Jonalee Adames and Grace Fennell finishing 38th and 39th with times of 23:48.8 and 23:49.4, respectively.
Carlyn Segrave-Daly posted a time of 24:08.8, Lexi Boyd ran 24:13.4, and Abby Tuturice completed the squad’s efforts with a 25:12.3.
Desales University
The DeSales University women’s cross country team secured sixth place among seven teams. The Bulldogs trailed four Division I schools that claimed the top four positions, with Moravian University edging them out for fifth.
Sophomore Ellie Kozich shone brightly, finishing 18th overall and second among Division III competitors with a time of 22:44.4. First-year runner Hannah Miller made a solid debut, placing 60th with a time of 25:14.0, while teammate Emily Harrington followed closely in 64th at 25:32.6.
Completing the Bulldogs’ top five were first-years Danielle Boland, who finished 69th in 26:08.1, and Angela Crowley, who took 73rd in 26:52.5.
Related: WVU’s Season Opener at Quest for the Crown.
Bucknell
The Bucknell women’s cross country team claimed victory in the competition. The Bisons claimed the top four positions, amassing just 21 points to outpace second-place West Virginia by a commanding 42 points.
Sophomore Shaelan McNally led the charge, setting the tone on the 6k course with a first-place finish. Bucknell topped the seven-team field, with West Virginia trailing in second. The Mountaineers were followed by host Lehigh (71 points), St. Joseph’s (96), Moravian (134), DeSales (178), and Muhlenberg (198), rounding out the standings. Senior Caryn Rippey, a standout from the 2024 season, solidified her role as a team leader, securing second place with a strong 21:33.6.
Hot on her heels, sophomore Katie Moncavage delivered a stellar third-place finish, clocking 21:41 and shattering the 6k record by 1.8 seconds. Junior Kailey Granger was right behind, finishing fourth in 21:42, just a second shy of Moncavage.
