• Sophomore Keaton Case finished 46th out of 161 runners to lead HPU (18:55.90)
• Freshman Zoe Geis was right behind in 48th (19:05.50)
• HPU returns to action at the Asheville Cross Country Challenge on Oct. 1
CARY, N.C. – Sophomore Keaton Case and freshman Zoe Geis put together strong races Friday to lead the High Point University women’s cross country team at the Adidas XC Invitational at WakeMed Park.
Behind their performances, the Panthers placed ninth amongst a 17-team field at the event. No. 5 NC State won the meet with 40 points, followed by North Carolina (54), Florida State (76), Wake Forest (111) and East Carolina (165).
“Today’s race was the first test for our team at our conference championship distance and we showed we have some room for improvement,” head coach Remy Tamer said. “Keaton and Zoe stepped up big and showed their importance to our scoring five. Some of the freshmen raced well and have big growth potentials. Overall, the range from 1-5 was tight, but now we just need to collectively slide up faster.”
Case served as HPU’s No. 1 runner for the second time in as many events this season, placing 46th in a 161-runner field with a time of 18:55.90. Geis was right behind in 48th (19:05.50), while senior Cozette Collin returned from injury to finish 52nd in 19:12.60.
Freshman Kylie Hennessey (19:16.60, 58th) and sophomore Courtney Kerr (19:17.16, 60th) rounded out the top-5 for the Purple & White, followed by freshman Emily Boger, who placed 73rd in 19:46.70.
Senior Natalia Ocasio finished 77th (19:59.30) and freshman Catherine Matteo was 101st in 21.09.20.
Freshman Kallie Baughman rounded out the HPU contingent with a 126th-place finish.
The Panthers return to action on Oct. 1 at the Asheville Cross Country Challenge. The race will serve as the Big South preview meet, with the league meet being run on the course Oct. 28.