Halbrook Takes Second as Women’s XC Falls to Navy

Friday, October 16

West Point, N.Y.

4 PM

Army West Point

Navy

Halbrook Takes Second as Women’s XC Falls to Navy

October 16, 2015 | Women's Cross Country

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point women's cross country team was able to place two runners in the top five spots, but Navy found a way to edge out a 23-35 victory at the West Point Golf Course on Friday afternoon.

Freshman Abby Halbrook willed her way to a second-place finish with a 6K time of 22:24.58. The only competitor that Halbrook crossed the finish line behind was Navy's senior Kelley Robinson, who finished more than half a minute ahead of any other runner. This was Halbrook's first top-team finish as well as her second top-two finish after she finished behind senior captain Lindsay Gabow in the season-opening dual at Maine.

"I thought our plebes ran really well for us today," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mike Smith. "For Abby to get second and Payton to finish 10th, to have them come out and contribute at a high level after a summer of basic training makes me happy. I think the future is very bright for Abby, and with her being a plebe she will continue to figure it out and will continue to go forward. I think it's great to have a freshman go out there and get second in this race, especially after she didn't race in a month."

Seniors Madison Hill and Gabow came in fifth and sixth places with times of 22:37.62 and 22:52.78 respectfully. The Black Knights' No. four runner was freshman Payton Padgett, who was the 10th runner from either side to complete the race after 23:09.84. Fellow freshman Cassie Mundekis capped the scoring for the Cadets finishing 15th with a time of 24:23.84.

"If we want to get better, we have to work harder," said Smith. "We as coaches will do that, and the athletes understand that. We need to keep focusing on the process. Going forward, I think we can still compete at a higher level collectively as a team, and we will look to do that in two weeks at the Patriot League Championships."

Army will be back in action in two weeks on Saturday, Oct. 31, at noon for the Patriot League Championships hosted by Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y.

For up-to-date information on Army women's cross country go to GoArmyWestPoint.com or follow @ArmyWP_TrackXC on Twitter.