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Women’s lacrosse defeat Slippery
Cross Country compete in PSAC Championship
By Laren Reesman Staff writer
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This past weekend Mercyhurst Women’s and Men’s cross country competed in a 5k PSAC Championship meet— the first PSAC competition held in over a year. Although no spectators could attend, this race set a hopeful precedent for a return to normalcy for PSAC cross country.
Freshman Alec Bidwell and junior Dennis Whalen expressed excitement at being able to compete in a PSAC Championship this year.
“It felt really good to compete in a PSAC competition. We were the first to represent Mercyhurst again,” Bidwell said.
“I am very appreciative to be part of the PSAC Championship, and I hope other sports get to have one soon as well,” Whalen said.
The Lakers ran Saturday afternoon at Lock Haven. The women’s team ranked 15th, and the Men’s team 11th overall.
Top five finishers for Mercyhurst in the men’s race include sophomore Joe Groth, Bidwell, Whalen, junior Benjamin Barnes and freshman Ethan Chadbourne. As for the women’s race, junior Margaret Sutherland, sophomore Abbagail Anaya, freshman Eleanor Chuzie, freshman Madison Burncheck and freshman Emma Pringle finished top five for Mercyhurst.
Several runners raced personal records at the championship and look forward to topping these times during their next regular season. Newcomers also look forward to racing their first college 10k in the fall.
Bidwell noted being somewhat nervous leading up to his first official collegiate race. He also said the team’s positivity and shared goals to push one another and beat Gannon gave him comfort.
Cross country is typically a fall sport, and this season was like nothing the team had done before, according to Whalen.
The training season was hectic with Erie’s winter weather and short daylight hours. Snow was the biggest obstacle to training as the team could not run on unplowed sidewalks and instead had to run in the street.
The team trained for 5k races this season rather than the usual 8-10k. In spite of these changes, Whalen said, “the team still went 13 miles on our long runs like previous years.” He also mentioned practices remained consistent like a fall season amid all the obstacles.
This race was also Michael Williamson’s first PSAC Championship as head coach. Previously the assistant cross country coach here at Mercyhurst, Williamson became head coach last July and has since been leading the team.
“Practicing this semester was very taxing at times, and it is competitions like this that remind student athletes why they work so hard,” Whalen said.
Mercyhurst cross country had one meet prior to the championship in early March, co-hosted with Gannon. The “Run in the Park” was a tri-meet between Gannon, Mercyhurst and Penn State Behrend.
The women’s team had two top-10 finishers at the Run in the Park: Anaya and Sutherland. The women’s and men’s teams ranked second and third, respectively. Sophomore Joe Groth finished first for the Mercyhurst men and eleventh overall.
Cross country will begin training again in April for track season. Their first meet is on April 25th at Penn State Behrend.
HurstAthletics photo Lakers freshman Eleanor Chuzie (left) competing in the 5k.
HurstAthletics photo
Head coach Robinette addressing the team during the doubleheader on Saturday.
Women’s water polo drop two to Salem and McKendree
By Sarah Klein Copy editor
On March 20, the Mercyhurst women’s water polo team was on the road to Morgantown, West Virginia to compete against both McKendree University and Salem University.
The day began with a 3:30 p.m. matchup against McKendree University, during which the Lakers fell 16-10 against the Bearcats. Senior Maddie Nye led with five goals for Mercyhurst, while junior Cassie Anderson netted two goals and had one assist. Sophomore Hanna Good, freshman Rachel Vliestra and freshman Sakura Gavin each added one goal for the Lakers. Senior goalie Sarah O’Keefe made 11 saves on the Bearcats.
The second matchup of the day, this time against Salem University, was a 12-9 loss for the Mercyhurst Lakers. Anderson, Nye and sophomore Ava Gebhardt each netted two goals for Mercyhurst. Senior Rachel Morris, junior Sara Marin and junior Alexa Anderberg each scored one goal. O’Keefe once again protected the Lakers’ net, stopping 12 shots from the Salem Tigers.
“Even though we ended in a loss, I thought the games went well. Our season has only just begun (as of last weekend), and these games were great learning experiences and gave us an opportunity to play together as a team,” Morris said.
“I am feeling very optimistic about this season!” said senior Isabella Morris. “We have a lot of talent and everyone is excited and grateful that we get to play this season.”
With the rest of the season ahead of them, the team is looking forward to making the most of an irregular year. Despite the trials we have all faced over the past year, the water polo team is excited to get back in the pool.
“I am excited for our conference games because I think we have a really good shot at winning them and going far this season,” Rachel Morris said.
The Mercyhurst Women’s water polo team will be playing their first home games on Sunday, March 28. The Lakers play Austin College at 9 a.m. followed by Penn State Behrend at 5 p.m.
