OWENSBORO, KY - The Kentucky Wesleyan Cross Country teams stayed close to home yesterday as they competed in the Brescia Invitational at Yellow Creek Park. 

The women's team shined, taking fifth overall out of 11 teams, with Abigail Lesniak and Karlee Hoffman each finishing in the top-5. 

"The ladies ran tough today," said head coach Sol Stephens. "Our first K set up the remainder of the race. We adjusted strategy over the week and the times reflected that. We are trending in the right direction and I'm excited to see what happens when the full group laces them up."

Abigail Lesniak ran out of this world, coming in third out of 103 runners with a new lifetime best of 18:57. Finishing just behind her was Karlee Hoffman, who took fifth with a time of 19:00, also a new lifetime best. Continuing the trend of 5k cross country bests was Emery Crume, who lowered her PR by nine seconds to take 24th with a 20:11. Sarah Vanderhoof finished extremely strong to set a new PR of 20:26 and take 33rd. Lucy Knutson rounded out the scoring for the Panthers with a season low time of 21:19. Freshman Jaiden Davis took 60th with a 21:55 and Abby Greene came in 78th with a 22:35. 

Vanderhoof stated that "Being srrounded by our friends and family tonight on our home course definitely allowed the entire team to run well. I'm extremely proud of everyone's commitment to running to the best of their ability and I'm happy I could help the team out by getting a 44-second PR."

The men had four runners compete in their 8k portion of the meet, with Tanner Hayes leading the way for the Panthers with a 28:50 to take 60th out of 132 runners. James Loi came through just 13 seconds behind Hayes in a time of 29:03, good for 64th. Hayden McDermott and Zachary Hardin each set a new collegiate best in the race, with McDermott running a 30:57 and Hardin finishing in a time of 33:23. 

"The guys did what the guys do, they show up and work. Despite what they might think, they definitely ran better this week. We need to stay more consistant throughout the race, but we improve as we go." - Sol Stephens.

Stephens also stated that "the biggest asset today was the energy, the home crowd pushed us. Thank you to the professors, students, coaches, parents, alumni, and anyone else who came out and supported us. It is amazing what kind of results occur with the right support and energy."

The Panthers will be back in two weeks when they head down to the Asbury Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 22.

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