SALISBURY, Md. – The Navy women's cross country team began its 2021 campaign with strong results across the board at the Salisbury Fall Classic as the Mids took home both the team title and individual title courtesy of
Emily Ettrich's (Jr., Whispering Pines, N.C.) 10-second victory in the 6k race. Competing as one of six teams, the Mids edged the Pirates of Seton Hall for the team title by 13 points, 25-38.
The final standings for the meet at the Winter Park Place saw Navy and Seton Hall atop in first and second place before the host Salisbury squad came in third with 72 points. Rowan (113 pts), Shenandoah (142) and Gallaudet (190) rounded out the field.
"I am extremely proud of how these young women competed today. It was a great way to start our season," remarked head coach
Kim Lewnes. "We are grateful for the opportunity to be competing as a team again!
"
Emily Ettrich has been a solid middle distance runner for us on the track her first two years at Navy. She clearly put the work in this summer to contribute in the cross country season too, so this was a great result for her!"
Crossing the finish line in 50th place in her first collegiate race at the 2019 version of the Salisbury Fall Classic, Ettrich improved her performance by 49 spots this Saturday as she cruised to a 10.21-second victory with a time of 22:29.56. Her teammate sophomore
Caroline Harding (Saint Paul, Minn.) was the next runner to cross the finish line as she came in second with a time of 22:39.77.
After two Seton Hall competitors and one Salisbury entrant came in third, fourth and fifth place, the Navy duo of
Madeline Myers (Fr., Klein, Texas) and
Mckenna Brophy (So., New Hope, Pa.) placed sixth and seventh with respective times of 23:00.85 and 23:01.42.
Katelyn Pepin (Fr., Manchester, N.H.) made it five Mids in the top-10 as she finished ninth at 23:09.27.
The final three Navy runners to complete the 6,000 meters in Salisbury amongst the top-15 were
Cassidy Kiko (So., Louisville, Ky.), who placed 11th with a 23:12.50 time, ahead of
Anna Cherian (Fr., Minnetonka, Minn.) and
Alex Wercinski (Fr., Virginia, Minn.), who finished back-to-back in 13th and 14th position at 23:19.34 and 23:20.57, respectively.
In total, 11 Midshipmen suited up and raced on Saturday, including five freshmen and two sophomores, who made their collegiate cross country debuts.
Navy will continue its early season action with its lone home meet of 2021 on Friday afternoon. The 2021 Navy Twillight Classic is scheduled to kick off at 5:25 p.m.
