CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The High Point University women’s cross country team placed 13th out of 30 teams at the Charlotte Invitational at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday. Senior Kelsey Hunt led the Panthers for the third meet in a row.
“It was another step forward today,” said HPU women’s cross country coach Jenna Wrieden. “Kelsey is solid and consistent. It’s no surprise that our No. 1 runner is the one who has been working hard and putting in high mileage for four years.
“Kayleigh Perry is starting to get where she needs to be. Colleen Hollowood and Sarah Dorrell both had solid races and they are helping close the gap between our No. 1 and No. 5 runners.”
Hunt placed 25th overall with a time of 22:27.85 on the 6,000-meter course. Perry placed 41st in 22:45.90. Hollowood took 92nd in 23:30.02 and Dorrell placed 101st in 23:40.12. Sophomore Lauren Blackwell placed 106th in 23:46.99.
Freshman Erika Peoples was HPU’s sixth runner in 113th place and junior Audrey Malloy took 159th.
Clemson won the race followed by Appalachian State and Richmond. High Point was the top Big South team in 13th place. Coastal Carolina placed 15th, Winthrop placed 17th, Campbell took 20th, Gardner-Webb placed 24th and Presbyterian placed 32nd. There were 33 teams in the race.
In the sub-varsity race, freshman Katie Farina led High Point with a 27th-place finish in a time of 24:01.84.
“Katie ran very well in the second race today,” said Wrieden. “Our freshmen needed to experience the 6K distance so we can improve from this.”
Senior Kelsey Paine placed 36th in 24:18.72 and freshman Julia Zautcke took 37th in 24:22.33. Freshman Lindsey Siska placed 49th, sophomore Leah Anne Wirfel took 54th and freshman Rebecca Baldinger placed 60th.
The Panthers are off for two weeks before competing in the Blue Ridge Open in Boone, N.C. on Oct. 12.