HPU Women’s Cross Country Places Seventh at Winthrop Invitational

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Senior Kelsey Hunt placed 12th overall to lead the High Point University women’s cross country team to a seventh-place finish at the adidas/Winthrop Invitational on Saturday in Rock Hill, S.C. Sophomore Lauren Blackwell was the second Panther across the line in 21st place.

“We took some positive steps today and I know we’ll be where we need to be a month from now when we run in the conference championship,” said HPU women’s cross country coach Jenna Wrieden. “Kelsey Hunt made a big statement with her performance today, she has come so far in her four years here. Lauren Blackwell is continuing to improve. Our freshmen are all making steps forward.”

Hunt finished the 5,000-meter course in 18:28.96 and Blackwell came in 21st at 18:49.90. Junior Audrey Malloy placed 44th in 19:15.60 and freshman Erika Peoples placed 66th in 19:37.05. Junior Colleen Hollowood was the Panthers’ final scorer in 76th overall with a time of 19:48.50.

Freshman Katie Farina placed 83rd overall with a time of 19:56.54 and freshman Julia Zautcke placed 123rd in a time of 20:42.40.

High Point also had seven runners competing unattached led by junior Kayleigh Perry, who playced 36th overall with a time of 19:03.97. Sophomore Sarah Dorrell placed 80th in 19:52.60 and senior Kelsey Paine took 92nd with a time of 20:03.78.

Appalachian State was the team champion with 58 points followed by Liberty (70), Coastal Carolina (168), Wofford (169) and UNC Asheville (180). Davidson placed sixth (201) followed by High Point (207) and Winthrop (219). Other Big South teams competing were Campbell in 10th, Radofrd in 18th, Gardner-Webb in 20th and Presbyterian in 28th.

The race was run on the same course as the Big South Championship on Oct. 27. Next up, the Panthers compete in the Charlotte Invitational at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 28. It’s the same course the NCAA Southeast Regional will be run on in November.