ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy women's cross country team (0-1) dropped a 20-35 decision to rival Army (1-0) on Saturday morning at the USNA Cross Country Course in the annual Star Meet, which is part of the overall Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA. Senior Alex Wercinski led a group of five Midshipmen that finished in the top 10 in the 6K race.
 
Led by Charlotte Richman, Army used a pack finish in the front to claim the top four spots in the race to claim the victory.
 
"The women got out in perfect position," head coach Kim Lewnes stated. "When the two Army leaders really started to break away around the first mile, I was proud of how Sophie committed to their third runner, but she was alone for the majority of the race. Mia-Claire was fighting to join her by sitting on Army's fourth for most of the race. Both had their best performances of the season today. Alex and Olivia worked well together and gave their best effort today. May is getting better every race and today was another confidence boost for her to realize she can run with our lead pack. Madeline and Lexi are developing well and have real bright futures in this sport.
 
"With all that being said, we obviously came up short," Lewnes added. "Our team average was 21:45 which is exactly what we averaged in 2022 on our course to win. That wasn't enough this year. We just need to get better and the women are up for the challenge."
 
The Mids were led by Wercinski, who finished fifth with a time of 21:31.5. She was followed closely by junior Sophie Compton, who took sixth place overall, crossing the finish line with a time of 21:42.9. Fellow junior Mia-Claire Kezal clocked a time of 21:46.7 to claim seventh. Seniors Olivia Lutkevich and May McConkey were eighth and ninth, respectively. Lutkevich posted a time of 21:50.9, while McConkey was seconds behind with a time of 21:53.8.
 
Army had three student-athletes cross the finish line before Navy had four consecutive runners take 13th through 16th. Freshman Madeline Palmisciano posted a time of 22:09.34 in her first Star Meet, with sophomore Lexi Ensor closing out the top seven finishers for the Midshipmen. Junior Kate Leddy (22:18.3) and sophomore Lillee Tang (22:22.7) finished 15th and 16th overall.
 
Junior Samantha Woodworth (22:38.5) and Katelyn Pepin (22:45.6) also competed for the Mids.
 
Saturday's competition marked the conclusion of Navy's regular season as both the men's and women's teams will turn their attention to action at the 2024 Patriot League Championship on Saturday, November 2.