By Lee Finkelstein

Five members from the KU men’s cross country team were placed in the top 50 on Saturday October 25 at Lock Haven University’s tournament, where the Golden Bears placed sixth out of 16 teams for the second consecutive year.

Senior Alex Watson led KU to 23rd place, finishing the 8k race in 26:27. Junior Jack Inglis was behind 15 seconds behind to place 30th (26:42).

Chris Coates took 46th in 27:17 as teammate Naeb Mengisteab finished three seconds after in 49th. Mark Pfaeffle followed placing 50th (27:21), and Michael Diecidue placed 52nd in 27:24. Justin Gum was the final point scorer for Kutztown, placing 76th in 28:12.

California University’s Aaron Dinzeo won the event in 23:43.98, but host Lock Haven’s runners finished in the next four spots and were able to win the event.

As for the womens’ team, Corinne Manela and Frances McNally were able to finish in the top-six in the field of 191 runners to place the Golden Bears in third-place to finish at Lock Haven on Saturday.

With six runners finishing in the top 40, KU was able to improve on last year’s sixth-place performance, by getting themselves into the top three out of nineteen competing teams in the 6k race.

Manela had a career best time of, 22:07 as she earned the bronze medal. McNally was not far behind as she found herself placing sixth in her season-best time of 22:35.

Molly MacDonald also earned herself a season-best time of 23:10 to place 17th while Olivia Dettore checked into the race for the first time this season. She finished at the 23:47 mark to take 33rd place.

Julie Friend of California University secured herself a gold medal in 21:47.74, with Rachel Magliane of Indiana University finishing in second (22:00.87). However, Lock Haven pulled out the top overall team performance to win its home event along with the men’s team.

The Golden Bears are set to take part in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships on Saturday, Nov. 8, hosted by Mansfield University. The Kutztown women’s team placed ninth at last year’s event as the men placed eighth.