The Garrett College Laker cross country teams opened their season Friday evening at the Westmoreland County Community College Wolfpack Invitational. The meet featured eight schools across the intercollegiate spectrum – NJCCA; NCAA DIII; USCAA; and NAIA. The race distance was 5000 meters for both men and women.
Reillee Beeman (Mountain Ridge HS) opened her collegiate career by posting a time of 37:08.4 spending most of the race battling back and forth with a Penn State Fayette runner who she held off in the final 150 meters. Penn State Fayette won the team title with a score of 15. Kelsey Wilkins of PSU Fayette won the individual title with a time of 22.22.8.
Jack Bradley (Northern Garrett HS) also had his collegiate debut running a time of 23:26.9 placing 26th overall. Westmoreland CCC edged out Penn State Fayette 41-57 to win the men's title. Dante Frescura won the individual title with a time oaf 17:27.5.
Coach Dale Luy was pleased with the first race commenting, "Both runners have that first collegiate race under their belt. We had one team practice before the race, so there is much to look forward to. What impressed me the most about both Reillee and Jack was the tenacity they demonstrated throughout the race. That is hard to teach. I anticipate that both Reillee and Jack will continue to improve throughout the season."
Co-Athletic Directors Eric Hallenbeck and Elizabeth Show are excited for the 2021-2022 athletics seasons. "We are excited for our athletes to return to campus and to see our athletic programs starting up. Reillee and Jack haven't been Lakers long, but their enthusiasm and eagerness to compete is apparent. We wish them the best this season, and look forward to watching them progress," quoted Elizabeth Show.
Garrett will host their first home event of the year, the "Garrett College Laker Invitational" on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Northern Garrett High School, Accident, MD.
Pictured left to right: Jack Bradley, Reillee Beeman
