Results
EMMITSBURG, Md. – The Maryland cross country team got off to a strong start in its 2016 campaign Friday afternoon, going 6-0 at the Mount Saint Mary 5K duals. The race is scored in a dual-scoring format with each team receiving a dual-meet score against each of its other opponents.
Freshman Kathryn Gearhart impressed in her college debut, winning the race by over five seconds with a mark of 18:01.5. In all, the Terps placed three runners in the top-10 and five runners in the top-20 as the squad earned wins over American, Franklin Pierce, UMBC, George Washington, Navy and host Mount Saint Mary's.
Senior Alexa Squirini also turned in a top-five finish, clocking in at 18:38.5 to claim fifth in the field. Senior Sydney Almeida was the next Terrapin to cross the line, posting a time of 18:43.5 to take seventh.
Senior Charde' Barnes (19:12.9) and freshman Caroline Augelli (19:14.9) helped pace the Terps to the team victory, finishing 17th and 18th overall. The Terps had another pack of runners not far behind in the top-35, as Gaby Go (28), Paige Novak (29), Kiernan Keller (30) and Erin Causey (32) all clocked in at under 20 minutes.
This is the first team victory at the 5k duals for the Terps since the event began in 2004. In addition, Gearhart is the first-ever Maryland runner to win the women's race.
The Terps will return to competition next Saturday, September 10 when the squad races at the Salty Dog Invitational in Annapolis, Md. The event, hosted by Navy, is scheduled to start at 10:00 am.
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