The Slippery Rock University women’s cross-country team took third place Saturday in its final race of the regular season, the Mack Cooper Invitational. The Rock hosted the race at its home course at Cooper’s Lake Campground.
Slippery Rock finished with a total of 87 points, falling behind only to California University of Pennsylvania with a score of 69 points and Shippensburg with a team victory of 48 points.
The 6,000 meter race consisted of 11 complete teams and 111 individual runners.
The Rock ran the race without the help of their top runner, Leah Anne Wirfel, who finished first for the team in the previous three races. Assistant coach Janine Powis didn’t want Wirfel to risk an injury with the PSAC Championships coming up.
“With how much running and racing Leah Anne has been doing, she needed a race off for injury preventions for the upcoming races that are more important,” Powis said.
The top finisher for The Rock was Jenny Picot with a time of 23:30.
She finished just a little over a minute after the first place finisher from West Chester, Amanda Eisman with a time of 22:13. Kaylee Haberkam finished 18 overall with a time of 24:20 and Melissa Rains rounded out the top 20 competitors with a time of 24:25.
“This race was on our home course so it gave us an idea of what PSACs will look like in two weeks,” Powis said. “We are able to practice on our home course making us stronger and prepared for the tough hills that other teams will not be prepared for.”
Finishing out the scoring for The Rock was Jessica Bennett in 21 at 24:26 and Jordyn Hackett in 23 with a final time of 24:47.
Matti Dunham finished in 25th in 24:38 and Shannon Byerly capped The Rock’s top seven finishers with a time of 24:42.
Slippery Rock will get a two-week break as they prepare to take on the PSAC Championships.
The race will be a test for The Rock as they will go up against the best teams in the PSAC but Powis is up to the challenge.
“The long break should not be a problem for our runners,” Powis said. “The team will be well rested and ready to race when it comes time for the PSAC Championships.
Slippery Rock will take the next weekend off as it prepares for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships on Oct 24.
The race will take place on SRU’s home site at Cooper’s Lake Campground.
