WHEELING, W.Va. - The Glenville State Cross Country teams had a great start to the 2025 season earlier this evening as the men & women combined for 11 personal records and Natalie Barr broke her own school record at the West Liberty Invite.
NEW SCHOOL RECORD
Natalie Barr broke her own school record in the 5k women's race, posting a third-place finish and 18:29 time.
HOW THE PIONEERS FINISHED
The Women
Jenna Barnett finished 7th at 19.16 for the Pioneers, moving into 2nd all-time. Freshman Laura Cain made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, finishing 25th with a time of 20:12 and putting herself 8th all-time. Abby Dixon (20:20, 30th) PR'd and is now 9th all-time while Katie Hicks (20:24, 33rd) was not too far behind for GSU, rounding out the all-time list at No. 10. Ella Austin also made her collegiate debut, placing 42nd and crossing at 21:13. Glenville's final top seven finisher was Morgan Ruggles, who had a 44th-place finish and time of 21:19.Â
As a team, the Pioneer women were fourth out of a nine-team field, defeating MEC foes West Liberty, Fairmont State and Wheeling. Glenville State also improved their team average from 2024, boosting it up from 20:33 to 19.44.
The Men
All seven Pioneer men recorded a personal best, setting up a third-place finish as a team. Returning MEC Freshman of the Year Patrick Reilly led the way at No. 3 with a time of 19:08. Rising sophomore Nick Pitchford was right there with Reilly, placing fourth at 19:09. Caden Davis (19:54, 20th) and Jackson Mallett (20:07, 26th) were also top 30 finishers for GSU. True freshmen Lance Busse (20:36, 33rd), Luke Barr (20:46, 36th) and Landon Griffith (20:56, 37th) made their collegiate debuts in strong fashion, helping boost GSU to a top-three finish overall as a team.
Like the women, their team average time improved compared to 2024, moving up from 20:33 to 19:47 in the 6k race.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers will have an early season drought before picking things back up on Saturday, September 27 at the Lock Haven Invite.
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