CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Malone University cross country team traveled down to Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina for the first time since 2021. The women ran great finishing second in the Blue Division. The men finished seventh in the Gold Division.
 
Rachel Whetstone led the way for the Pioneers with a 5k time of 19:15. Olivia Szmania was next in the running order crossing the line at 19:26. The third, fourth, and fifth runners were closely packed, finishing within a mere ten seconds of each other; Karrah Singleton (19:39), Marisa Brown (19:45) and Brooklyn McIntyre (19:49).
 
Assistant Coach Madisan DeBos said, "It was good building blocks and building a good foundation. The team worked hard to push through out of their comfort zone and work together as a team." Szmania, who was injured throughout the first half of the season and set a new personal best, mentioned "The race has shown how much work has gone into improving at practice."
 
The men's team took this race as a decent performance. The Pioneer scoring five finished their 8k within twelve seconds of each other. These five finishers were Yahya Jawadi (25:07), Xander Heil (25:08), Zach Bugner (25:15), Alex Hill (25:18) and Wyatt Royster (25:19). 
 
Bugner took one-minute off his previous personal best in the 8k and was third on the team on Friday. "I've finally adapted to the 8k from running longer distances by learning to be tough when it matters most," the senior stated.
 
If there was a word that describes the meet today, it would be growth. For the women it's easy; many personal bests across the board and mentally getting out of their comfort zone. For the men, it's how to grow after a decent performance, learn from it, and execute it better for the next meet.
 
The cross country teams take a break next week and look forward to run a fast course at Lock Haven University at the Go Fast River Run on October 24.