September 1, 2023
Country roads took them home with a team sweep at the Westmoreland Invitational on Friday, September 1st. The women's race of 5,000meters/3.1miles started at 5:00pm and the pack of strong Catamount runners stuck together for a majority of the race. With returning sophomores that had won the Region in the previous year and competed on the NJCAA National stage, experience helped guide the group. The Amtower twins led the pack, pulling along several other teammates in their pursuit of top times. Arrisyn Amtower would cross the finish line first in a time of 22:03.1, coming in 2nd overall in all female finishers. Four other Catamounts, Minka Amtower, Alexandrea Kile, Hannah Hardy, and Leah McKenzie, would finish in that same minute. A slim eight seconds was the difference maker in the WVU Potomac State Women's team from earning a perfect team score, with the first Westmoreland runner taking the 5th place spot.
Official Team Scores
| 1. | Potomac State College of WVU | 16 |
| 2. | Westmoreland CCC | 45 |
| 2. | So | Arrisyn Amtower | 22:03.1 | |
| 3. | So | Minka Amtower | 22:38.0 | |
| 4. | So | Alexandrea Kile | 23:02.0 | |
| 5. | Fr | Hannah Hardy | 23:19.6 | |
| 7. | Fr | Leah McKenzie | 23:33.5 | |
| 12. | Fr | Averi Everline | 24:47.5 | |
| 17. | So | Alexa VanMeter | 27:16.0 | |
| 20. | Fr | Sarah Lasko | 30:04.1 |
The men followed the women with a 5:45pm start and also saw success in their first trial of the season. With only one returner on the men's side, their freshman talent excelled with three newcomers placing in the top 10. Fueled by the women's success, the men's team also ran a strong race as a team and were able to take 1st place on the men's side. All Catamounts finished in the top 25, setting the tone for a successful season on both cross country teams this Fall. In just his 2nd season as Head Coach, Chris Biser has clearly found the right individuals to build the program. Leading the way for the Catamounts was freshman Griffin Paugh who finished the 5k course in a time of 18:07.6. Heath Knight and Will Haberlein followed Paugh and 4th and 6th respectively. Isaiah Wharton and Jaxton Ratcliff earned points for the Catamounts on their way to their 1st place team finish.
Official Team Scores
| 1. | Potomac State College of WVU | 32 |
| 2. | University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg | 38 |
| 3. | Mount Aloysius | 57 |
| 4. | La Roche | 83 |
| 3. | - | Griffin Paugh | 18:07.6 | |
| 4. | - | Heath Knight | 18:43.3 | |
| 6. | - | Will Haberlein | 19:26.3 | |
| 15. | - | Isaiah Wharton | 21:43.3 | |
| 21. | - | Jaxen Ratcliff | 23:57.1 |
Click HERE for full race results.
The Catamounts will revisit the Westmoreland course on October 28th when they return for the Region 20 Championship Meet. Up next the Catamounts travel to Bethany College on Saturday, September 9th.