HAMILTON, N.Y. – Led by senior Caroline Harding, the Navy women's cross country team posted a fifth-place finish at the Harry Lang Invitational in Hamilton, N.Y. in the first meet of the year. Harding led a Midshipmen squad that featured a mix of youth and veteran runners with a 12th-place overall finish in the 5K race.
 
Navy's 13 competitors had a combined 35 collegiate competitions to their credit with six freshmen making their collegiate debut.
 
"Our primary focus was to preview the conference championship course this weekend," head coach Kim Lewnes said after the meet. "It's early in the season, so we held a lot of the squad back today. It was a great opportunity for some of our younger runners to step up. Lillee Tang ran a controlled race and led our plebes, who were all very excited to put on a Navy uniform for the first time."
 
Bucknell finished in first place with team-low 38 total points. Syracuse followed with 47 points, while Lehigh (100) and Buffalo (101) finished just ahead of Navy, who tallied 112 points to claim fifth. Lafayette (173), Colgate (201), Cornell (213), and Binghamton (248) rounded out the team scoring.
 
Harding clocked a time of 18:38.6 to lead the Mids with a 12th-place finish. Freshman Lillee Tang finished second among the Midshipmen, clocking a time of 19:22.4. Senior Shannon Clancy finished one spot behind Tang with a time of 19:23.8, while sophomore Samantha Woodworth clocked a time of 19:24.8 to cross the finish line behind Clancy. Junior Charlotte Hill (19:27.3) and sophomore Kate Leddy (19:30.7) finished back-to-back, while freshman Brianna Newell rounded out Navy's top seven with a time of 19:40.1 in her first collegiate competition.
 
"We focus on four years of development on our team," Lewnes added. "I am really proud of Caroline's growth over the past year and Shannon's improvements over the summer. Both executed the race plan and are set up to have their best year yet. All of our seniors clearly put in the work this summer and I'm excited to watch them lead our team this fall."
 
Four freshmen Milana Breuninger (19:48.7), Natalie Jack (19:53.6), Sarah Colebrooke (20:04.4), and Susannah Heinz (20:50.6), along with senior Phoebe Spackman (20:08.3) and junior Katelyn Pepin (20:20.4) closed out the runners for the Midshipmen.
 
"Colgate ran a great season opener and we look forward to returning in October with our full squad ready to compete," concluded Lewnes.
 
The Midshipmen return to action next weekend as the Mids will host the annual Navy Invitational at the USNA Cross Country Course on Saturday, Sept. 9. The meet opens with an open 5K at 9:15 a.m. before the women's 6K at 10:00 a.m. and the men's 4.9-mile run at 10:30 a.m. There will be an alumni Bertha mile run at 11:00 a.m.
 
Team Scores
1. Bucknell – 38 points
2. Syracuse – 47
3. Lehigh – 100
4. Buffalo – 101
5. Navy – 112
6. Lafayette – 173
7. Colgate – 201
8. Cornell – 213
9. Binghamton – 248
 
Navy Top 7
12. Caroline Harding – 18:38.6
23. Lillee Tang – 19:22.4
24. Shannon Clancy – 19:23.8
25. Samantha Woodworth – 19:24.8
28. Charlotte Hill – 19:27.3
29. Kate Leddy – 19:30.7
33. Brianna Newell – 19:40.1