LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — The West Liberty University men's and women's cross country teams return to competition Saturday at the Lock Haven Invitational, hosted at the West Branch Cross Country Course in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Competition is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The meet will provide the Hilltoppers with another opportunity to test themselves against a competitive field as they prepare for the Mountain East Conference Championships on Nov. 7 at the Bethany Cross Country Course in Bethany, West Virginia.

West Liberty last competed at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational on Oct. 10 in Pittsburgh. The men finished 16th among 23 teams with 414 points, while the women placed 18th in a field of 24 teams with 517 points.

On the men's side, senior Lance Busse led the Hilltoppers at Carnegie Mellon, finishing 55th overall in the 8-kilometer race with a time of 26:12.3. Michael Niggemyer followed in 97th at 27:05.2, while Shepherd Richey finished 115th in 27:36.2. Finlay Lorimer and Zachary Workman rounded out the team's scoring five.

The women were paced by senior Lacey Dimit, who placed 77th in the 5K race at Carnegie Mellon with a time of 19:40.3. Freshman Kaylee Onder finished 99th in 20:02.9, followed by freshman Josie Lesnansky in 137th at 20:42.6. Gretchen House and Katie Rutherford completed the Hilltoppers' scoring five.

Saturday's meet will be held at the West Branch Cross Country Course, a venue that has hosted numerous championship events, including the NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Region Championships. The course accommodates multiple race distances and will bring together teams from across the region, including several Mountain East Conference opponents.

With the conference championships approaching, the Lock Haven Invitational will be an important opportunity for West Liberty's runners to build momentum, sharpen their race strategies and continue preparing for the postseason.

Following Saturday's competition, the Hilltoppers will turn their attention to the MEC Championships on Nov. 7 in Bethany. The men's race is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with the women's race set for 10:30 a.m.



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.