Top Runners Set PR's at Paul Short Invite

Three of the Devils top four runners set personal best times as the University of the Sciences women's cross country Team competed in Friday's Lehigh Brooks Paul Short Invitational in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, finishing in 24th place amongst the 40 schools competing in their race.

Leading the way for Sciences was freshman Abby Kearns (Holy Cross HS/Scranton, Pa.).   Kearns completed the 6,000-meter course in 24:59, breaking her previous best 6K time by over a minute.   Kearns becomes just the third women's cross country runner in school history to finish a 6K race in under 25 minutes, joining four-time All-CACC runner Joy Aifuwa and two-time All-CACC runner Hayley Lentz.  Abby was 82nd overall amongst the 279 finishers.

Joining Kearns in setting personal best times were sophomore Jordan Lyons (Washington Township HS/Sewell, N.J.) and senior Alyssa Hamm (Academy Park HS/Sharon Hill, Pa.).   Lyons was the Devils second finisher, crossing the line in 25:21, 45 seconds better than her previous 6K set earlier this season.  Jordan was 99th overall.  Hamm was the Devils fourth finisher with a time of 27:15, also a personal best.   The Devils third finisher, sophomore Kristin Waters (West Genesee HS/Syracuse, N.Y.) narrowly missed a personal best time by three seconds, finishing in 26:06.  Kearns', Lyons' and Waters' times all rank amongst the top 20 all time 6,000-meter results in school history.

Senior Colleen Christian (Central Buck South HS/Warrington, Pa.) was the Devils fifth finisher, completing the race in a time of 27:21.  Right behind her was junior Kimberly Brown (Toms River HS East/Toms River, N.J.) in 27:23. Junior Jessica Kaminski (Charter School of Wilmington/Hockessin, Del.) and senior Allison Dargay (Cardinal O'Hara HS/Glen Mills, Pa.) was the next two Devils to finish, completing the race in 27:31 and 27:36 respectively.

The Devils final personal best time of the afternoon was set by junior Unicel-Anne Flores (McNair Academy/Jersey City, N.J.). "Flo' finished in 28:50.   Freshman Emily Schwartz (Cherokee HS/Marlton, N.J.) rounded out the Devils competitors with a time of 31:25.

The University of the Sciences women's cross country team returns to action on Saturday, October 9, 2010 when they will compete at the Goldey-Beacom Invitational at Carousel Park in Wilmington, Delaware.