HPU Cross Country Opens Season at Elon Opener

HPU Women Place Third at Elon Opener

• The Panthers had all five scoring finishers in the top 20
• Freshman Famke Heinst was the runner-up in her first collegiate race, finishing the 4K race in a time of 15:36
• Next up, HPU competes at the Big South Preview Sept. 16 in Lynchburg, Va.

ELON, N.C. — The High Point University women’s cross country team finished third at the Elon Opener to start the 2017 campaign Saturday morning (Sept. 2).

The Panthers placed third with 64 points, behind Elon (40) and North Carolina (62), but ahead of College of Charleston (92), Delaware (109) and Campbell (175).

“I thought this race was a good starting point for our ladies,” HPU head coach Remy Tamer said. “We have a very raw team and we will need to race ourselves into good form over the course of the season. We have some growing up to do as a team.

“Today was a good lesson in what pack running can do for team scores. Elon and UNC ran well and were able to put large packs between individual HPU runners. Once we learn how to compete as a unit, then there’s no telling how far we can go as a group.”

In her first collegiate race, freshman Famke Heinst was the runner-up in a 4K time of 15:36. Three more freshmen, Julia Hellman (12th,15:54), Franzi Jakobs (14th, 15:58) and Caroline Baudinet (17th, 16:02) finished next, while sophomore Zoe Geis rounded out the scoring five in 20th overall in 16:14.

The Panthers return to action Sept. 16 for the Big South preview in Lynchburg, Va.

Panther Men Finish Sixth at Elon Opener

• The Panthers finished sixth out of 10 teams in their season opener
• Junior Alejandro Juan Torres finished sixth overall in a 6K time of 19:44
• Next up, HPU competes at the Big South Preview Sept. 16 in Lynchburg, Va.

ELON, N.C. — The High Point University men’s cross country team opened its 2017 season with a sixth-place finish at the Elon Opener on Saturday morning (Sept. 2).

The Panthers placed sixth out of 10 teams with 149 points, behind Campbell (26), North Carolina (41), Elon (109), College of Charleston (132) and UNC Pembroke (138).

Junior Alejandro Juan Torres finished sixth overall in a 6K time of 19:44 to lead the Panthers across the line. Freshman Anthony Sasso was next for the Purple & White, placing 25th in his first collegiate race in 20:44. Sophomore TJ Morales was right behind in 27th in 20:46. Freshman Stephen Gray (39th, 21:25) and junior Patrick Van Der Cruyssen (65th, 22:52) rounded out the scoring five for HPU.

“I was very pleased with Alejandro’s effort as well as our two freshmen, Anthony and Stephen, and TJ,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “Patrick is getting back to being healthy and will get much better. As a whole, we are a little thin on numbers and need to stay healthy.”

The Panthers return to action Sept. 16 for the Big South preview in Lynchburg, Va.