Women's Cross Country Takes Two at BR Jasper Inv.

Friday, September 11

Bronx, N.Y.

2:30 PM

Army West Point

Manhattan

Women's Cross Country Takes Two at BR Jasper Inv.

September 11, 2015 | Women's Cross Country

BRONX, N.Y. – The Army West Point women's cross country team was able to earn two victories in the dual meets at the BR Jasper Invitational thanks to its senior captain Lindsay Gabow's top-10 finish on Friday.

The Black Knights defeated Hofstra (15-42) and Southern Connecticut State (17-46) while falling to Manhattan (30-27) and Ivy League powers Columbia (41-20) and Cornell (46-16). Cornell took home the top-four spots as part of its seven top-10 finishers. The remaining three spots in the top-10 were held by Columbia.

"We went up against two of the best teams in the Ivy League in Cornell and Columbia," said Army's director of track and field and cross country Mike Smith. "They, of course, ran very well against us, but we had some good individual performances. I thought Lindsay (Gabow) ran extremely well and competed at a high level. That's indicative of what she has been doing all summer and where she is right now. She is at a good place. She's very fit, and she ran well leading us today. I expect her to continue to run well and lead us."

Gabow finished seventh with a 5K time of 18:12.5. Just as she was in Maine, the senior was followed by freshman Abby Halbrook, who finished 11th after crossing the finish line at 18:25.6.

"Abby (Halbrook), who has only really been training since she got out of Beast on Aug. 10, had a great race today," said Smith. "She competed at an extremely high level for someone who has only really been working at a collegiate training level for the last three to four weeks. We were happy to see her breakthrough and look forward to watching her continue to develop. Then, our second through sixth runners were all plebes."

Payton Padgett finished 42nd in 19:50.8 as the No. 3 runner for Army. The plebe from Millrift, Pa. cut down her average mile time by more than 20 seconds from a week ago and forced her way into the Black Knights' top-five. She was followed by fellow plebes Cassie Mundekis, who finished 44th with a time of 19:55.4, Sarah Jeon, who finished 52nd with a time of 20:19.5, and Mary Pollin, who finished 57th with a time of 20:30.8.

"That's what we're relying on this year," expressed Smith. "Our plebes are going to carry us so it was nice to see them compete and get better. We just need to get back to work over the next few weeks to give ourselves a chance to improve as we look toward the championship season."

The women's cross country team will return to action in two weeks on Friday, Sept. 25, when it travels up to Boston for the Beantown Challenge starting at 3 p.m.