Lock Haven, Pa. The University of Charleston cross country teams continued their strong start to the season at the Lock Haven Invitational, where the Golden Eagles men captured the team title in a highly competitive field and the women earned a top ten team finish.
How it Happened:
On the men's side, Charleston delivered a statement performance, winning the meet by eight points with a score of 71 to edge out number 25 ranked Walsh University with 79 and Ashland University with 80. The race featured more than 200 athletes on the starting line, but the Golden Eagles executed their plan with discipline and pack running that proved decisive.
Senior Hugo Hewitt led the way for Charleston, placing sixth overall with a time of 24 minutes and 29 seconds for the 8K course, which equates to an average pace of 4 minutes and 55 seconds per mile. Freshman Harry Witt impressed in his collegiate debut season, finishing eleventh overall and earning the distinction of top freshman in the meet with a time of 24 minutes and 52 seconds. Close behind, Cosmas Chelanga and Jules Geffroy Remote crossed shoulder to shoulder in sixteenth and seventeenth at 25 minutes and 25 minutes and 1 second, while the Golden Eagles' scoring five was completed by a twenty first place finish at 25 minutes and 8 seconds. With all five scorers inside the top 25, Charleston's depth proved to be the difference, solidifying the Golden Eagles' position as one of the top teams in the nation where they are currently ranked number 17.
The women's squad also put together a promising effort, finishing eighth out of 21 teams in a field of more than 170 athletes. Junior Bethany Wallis set the tone with a twenty third place finish in 22 minutes and 31 seconds for the 6K, averaging just over six minutes per mile on a challenging grassy course. Sophomore Amanda Ferrante followed in thirty second at 22 minutes and 46 seconds, only fifteen seconds behind Wallis in a tightly packed race. Freshman Hallie Simmons was third for Charleston in forty eighth at 23 minutes and 5 seconds, with sophomore Abbey Bolton right behind in fiftieth at 23 minutes and 6 seconds. The Golden Eagles' scoring five was rounded out by Ava Lightfritz, who outkicked three opposing runners in the final meters to claim a crucial spot for the team.
Charleston's women showed maturity beyond their years, with their third, fourth, and fifth runners finishing within six places of each other, a sign of growing consistency and pack strength for such a young team.
Overall, the Lock Haven Invitational proved to be a confidence boost for both programs. The men earned their second straight victory to open the season, while the women showed signs of promise with a top ten finish against a competitive field. The Golden Eagles will look to build on this momentum as they continue to climb in the national rankings and sharpen their fitness heading into the heart of the season.
Up Next
Next the Golden Eagles will head to Huntsville, AL. This cross country meet is called the UAH Chargers Invitational and is held on October 11th with a start time of 8:00am.
