RICHMOND, Va. — The High Point University women's cross-country team made a charge at the Richmond Invitational on Friday morning at Pole Green Park, finishing fourth overall. Senior Brianna Malone and junior Danielle Jensen led the Panthers, sweeping the race first and second, respectively. Malone finished the 6k clocking a time of 20:42.2, and Jensen finished just seconds later at 20:47.4.
Director of Track & Field amd Cross Country Remy Tamer: "The women's race was a tale of two separate HPU teams. The team who raced with fire and the team who got burned. Neither team was defined by the end result or the individual's finishing time but rather by how they stepped up to the race opportunity. We had some who took advantage of the moment and tested themselves to their full capacity. We had others who let the moment take them for a ride. As if they were passive participants to their own race. A pin ball getting pushed around. We will be a good team once we realize it's just running. From point A to point B. Whoever does it the fastest wins. Nothing more than that. Let go of pressure, expectations, and fears. Just go let it rip. That being said, Brianna Malone and Danielle Jensen raced with a whole lot of fire. They not only went 1-2, but they went straight to the front of the race from the gun and showed they're here to take over. Those ladies are not afraid of hard things, and it was a blast to watch them do their thing. We have 4 weeks to get ready for championship season. These ladies have a big challenge ahead of them, but this is the team who can handle the fire. They'll have a chance to show everyone else who they are."
Running her first collegiate 6k, freshman Ruth Metaferia finished third for High Point, coming in 16th with a final time of 22:26.7. Finishing next for the Panthers was Metaferia's fellow freshman Lauren Hagg, who finished at 23:14, followed by Maggie Whitham finishing at 23:27.3. Other Panthers who raced were Elizabeth Ritter, Ava Shook and Isabella Gentille.
Malone's performance come at no surprise after she earned her first Big South Runner of the Week honor this season following the NC State Adidas XC Challenge.
Tiffany Miller, Hayden Robinson, and Cailyn Stine did not race for High Point.
Up Next: Catch the Panthers back in action in Princeton, N.J., for the Joe Handleman '52 Fall Classic on Friday, October 16, hosted by Princeton University.
#GoHPU x #DefendTheTeam
