XC Men & Women make history at Mont Alto Invitational
Mont Alto, PA - The Penn State Fayette Cross Country team made history Saturday as for the first time ever, both the men's and women's team won the same event. It happened at the Penn State Mont Alto Invitational, which took place at Norlo Park in Fayetteville (PA).
"It is the first double team win in school history," said head coach Joe Carei after the event. "The women's team looked great as the team was all together through the first mile, then Nicole (Walker) chased down Mont Alto."
Walker (West Mifflin, PA/West Mifflin HS) took first in the Women's 5k with a time of 20:58, Josie Pinduro (Hopwood, PA/Geibel Catholic) was third (21:42), Kelsey Wilkins was fourth (21:48), Chloe Kalp (Melcroft, PA/Connellsville HS) was fifth (22:34) and Haley Miller (Masontown, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) finished eighth (25:54).
Carei also spoke about the thrilling men's race.
"The men's race was the tightest PSUAC race we have seen in a while," he said. "Mitch (Minda) led wire to wire and the team pulled it out. We're working our way back into shape."
Minda (Elizabeth, PA/Elizabeth Forward HS) led the way with a time of 17:24 in the Men's 5k. Joe O'Connell (West Mifflin, PA/West Mifflin HS) finished third in 18:12, Ethan Mates (Mt. Pleasant, PA/Mt. Pleasant HS) was 10th (20;19), Drew Erdman (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Salem HS) finished 12th (20:42), PJ Savini (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands) was 14th (20:58) and Logan Miller (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS) finished 19th (22:13).
Fayette hosts its Penn State Fayette Invitational Saturday. It begins at 11 a.m.
For more on the cross-country team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/xc/index or follow us on Instagram @fayetteathletics.
Written by Bill Hughes