Cross Country Opens Season at Dolan Duals

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Penn State cross country team began its season with an excellent showing at the annual Dolan Duals, hosted by Lock Haven.

Penn State swept both races as each team put together solid outings in their first races of the 2024 campaign. Many runners made their Penn State debuts in Lock Haven, establishing benchmarks for the coming season.

WOMEN’S 4K RACE 

Faith DeMars led the Penn State women’s team through the line, clocking a 13:51.4 in the 4K. In their first in-uniform 4Ks, Claire Zubey (13:54.8, 2^nd) and Allison Dougherty (13:56.4, 3^rd) followed DeMars through the finish line as the front pack. Lea Hatcher finished fourth with a 4K PR, improving her time from last season with a 14:06.8 this year. Claire Daniels impressed, dropping her 4K PR from last season’s Dolan Duals by over a minute, showing promise heading into the new season. All-around, it was a great showing for the Nittany Lion women, who will look to continue their success at home next week.

Penn State Women’s Top Seven Results (15 pts): 

Place (Points)  Runner                        Time

1 (1)                 Faith DeMars              13:51.4

2 (2)                 Claire Zubey                13:54.8

3 (3)                 Allison Dougherty       13:56.4

4 (4)                 Lea Hatcher                 14:06.8

5 (5)                 Claire Daniels              14:14.5

6                      Katie Dallas                 14:24.2

8                      Carolyn Tarpley           14:29.2

MEN’S 6K RACE 

Nick Sloff took the top overall spot for the Nittany Lions with a 17:55.1, finishing ahead of Caiden Leen (17:57.4). The tandem were the only two runners under 18 minutes Friday, with Sloff earning the win in his in-uniform debut for the Nittany Lions. Penn State’s next five runners finished within three seconds of each other, with Brian DiCola (18:06.9, 4^th), Ryan Watson (18:07.6, 5th), Hayden Healey (18:08.1, 6^th), Justin Healey (18:08.7, 7^th), and Jake Allen (18:09.4, 8^th) packing up to cross the line as a group.

Penn State Men’s Top Seven Results (15 pts): 

Place (Points)  Runner                        Time

1 (1)                 Nick Sloff                     17:55.1

2 (2)                 Caiden Leen                17:57.4

4 (3)                 Brian DiCola                18:06.9

5 (4)                 Ryan Watson              18:07.6

6 (5)                 Hayden Healey            18:08.1

7                      Justin Healey               18:08.7

8                      Jake Allen                    18:09.4

WHAT’S NEXT 

Penn State returns home to host the Spiked Shoe Invitational next Friday, September 13 at home on the Penn State Golf Courses.

FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS 

Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc).