Women’s XC takes down reigning PAC Champ
The women’s cross country team made a statement Saturday at the Bethany College Invitational by claiming first place, while also defeating the 25-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference defending champion Grove City Wolverines. According to the understanding of head coach Chris Hardie, this marked only the second time in program history that the Waynesburg women defeated Grove City in a race.
The Yellow Jackets continued their winning ways on the course, as they topped the 14-team field in Bethany, West Virginia Saturday. The team has won the first two invitationals they have participated in this year.
The team was once again led by freshman sensation Julie Gerber, as she placed third in the 149-woman race with a time of 23:35. Although expectations for Gerber are high considering her successful collegiate beginning, Gerber just wants to stay focused on bettering herself every week.
“My mindset coming into this race was to just try and run consistently, and try to better my time from last week,” said Gerber. “I knew there would be some competition, so try and run with them and pace myself off them.”
Knowing what to expect from Bethany’s course may pay huge dividends near the end of the season, as the women will race there again for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship showdown Nov.1. Gerber was thankful for the opportunity to preview the course.
“I’m glad we raced there this weekend, and I was able to become familiar with the course,” said Gerber. “I’m just excited [to move forward].”
Youth once again paved the way for the Jackets Saturday as a pair of freshmen finished second and third for the team. Elinore Loch and Angie Marchetti posted solid times of 24:33 and 24:41, respectively, as they placed an impressive sixth and eighth place in the field.
Senior Annette Aho was the only veteran to place in the top-five on the team, as she crossed the line in tenth place at a mark of 24:42. Freshman Kerianne Hensel rounded off the top-five for the Jackets, with a respectable 15th place finish at a time of 25:14.
Hardie was happy with the results from Saturday’s invitational, but he was most impressed with the team’s competitiveness in a talent-filled field.
“We were very pleased with the results,” said Hardie. “We match up very well with Grove City, and it was great to see our women step up and compete.”
However, Hardie wants to tame the hype and expectations for the team as he knows Grove City will be far from a pushover when it comes time for the PAC championship meet.
“The women know that the matchup with Grove City is tight, and that it’s going to take everything they have to come out on top in seven weeks,” said Hardie. “[Our] future success lies in [our] ability to work harder than the competition.”
Excitement is certainly building for this young, yet talented roster. Hardie wants to make sure nothing in the team’s preparation changes to ensure optimal focus in a year that shows tantalizing promise.
“There was a little extra excitement in the women heading into the training week,” said Hardie. “But we always approach each meet the same way. We focus on being the best we can be, regardless of the competition.”
The Jackets continue their season this upcoming Saturday in Newville, Pennsylvania, as they prepare for the Dickinson Long-Short Course Invitational. The race is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m.