WHEELING, W.Va. – The Glenville State Cross Country teams opened the 2024 season strong this evening at the West Liberty Invite as the women placed third as a team and the men had a freshman place fifth overall. The Pioneers competed at the Bethany College Cross Country Course.

The Women
Natalie Barr placed 3^rd in her first meet after her historic freshman season, crossing at 19:18. Promising freshman Jenna Barnett finished behind Barr in 4^th, running the program's third fastest 5k ever at 19:33. Freshman Katie Hicks had a top 20 finish as her time of 20:25 was good enough for 19^th place. Abby Dixon (38^th, 21:42), Savannah Cunningham (40^th, 21:50), Hannah Hill (43^rd, 22:05) and Hannah Rowan (47^th, 22:42) rounded out the finishes for GSU.

The Men
Five of the seven Pioneer men that ran were freshman, led by Buffalo product Patrick Reilly, who placed 5^th with a time of 19:17. All top five placements by Pioneers were done by freshman as Nick Pitchford (24^th, 20:13), Caden Davis (31^st, 20:29), Jackson Mallett (43^rd, 20:57) and Dylan Blackshire (47^th, 21:16) all followed behind Reilly. Sophomore Daniel Kargol ran a time of 21:20, placing 48^th while Bryan Utt, the fifth-year senior out of Braxton County, W.Va., took 52^nd after running 21:54.

Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers are back on the course September 21^st at Youngstown State for the NCAA Inaugural Alumni CC Meet.