CARY, N.C. – The High Point University women's cross country team competed in the NC State Adidas XC Challenge on Friday evening at the WakeMed Soccer Complex where the team finished fifth overall. The Panthers were led by Brianna Malone who finished ninth, out of 164, with a 5k time of 17:00.8.
 
Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Remy Tamer: "Overall we were splintered as a team today. Had some promising performances at the top, some fumbled opportunities, and nothing really in the middle. When we are out of sync and everyone is siloed in their own experiences, that makes for a bad team score. Brianna and Dani had solid season openers, and they both raced with fire. They got out hard and put themselves in the top pack and fought like crazy until the final feet of that race. From there we need our other athletes to step up and close the gap. Take risks and be aggressive for their team. This team has the bones to be a powerful group, but the potential won't matter until the athletes realize it's up to them to make it happen"
 
Danielle Jensen finished 17th with a time of 17:12.7. Next to finish for the Panthers was Ruth Metaferia who finished with a time of 18:27.0. Lauren Hagg crossed the finish line at 18:52.6, while Maggie Whitham finished behind her with a time of 19.02.0. Other Panthers who ran were Elizabeth Ritter, Ava Shook, Tiffany Miller, and Isabella Gentille.
 
Malone, a senior, "raced with fire" according to Tamer, which comes with no surprised after she was named Runner of the Year by the Big South Conference for her record performances in the previous season. Friday evening marks her first race of the 2026 season. 
 
Only two Panthers did not compete, the two being Hayden Robinson and Cailyn Stine.
 
Up Next: The Panthers are set to compete in Richmond, Va, at the Richmond Invitational on Friday, October 2, which will be hosted by Richmond University.