WPU Opens 2024 at Central Invitational

Pella--The Statesmen women's cross country team started its campaign Friday by traveling west on Highway 163 to compete in the Central Invitational.

With only four Statesmen in the field, William Penn unfortunately did not post a score, while host Central claimed the team crown with 19 points.

Teah Miller of Central topped the 83-runner 5K race with a time of 18:39.9.

Roselaure Fuller (Sr., Pella, Iowa, Nursing) guided the navy and gold in 51st place at 23:02.9, while the duo of Morgan Taylor (Jr., Galesburg, Ill., Nursing) (71st) and Briana Admire (So., Galesburg, Ill., Biology) (72nd) each finished at 26:33.9.

Avery Waterhouse (So., Olds, Iowa, Nursing) rounded out the quartet with a time of 26:54.2 to place 76th.

"This was a tough opening meet for us, but not a bad one," Head Coach Caleb Drake said.  "We have some different things to reflect and work on; we will make progress from here.  We have been in the midst of dense training as we start this year and these women have put in good work to this point.  The work will continue, and we will come back to the next race with new wind in our sails."

Next Up: William Penn travels to Columbia, Mo. on Friday, September 20 to battle in the Columbia Larry Young Invitational.