LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall women's cross country team opened its 2022 season on its home course and nearly came away with a victory against regionally-ranked Lebanon Valley during the season opener. The Diplomats took third in the meet, scoring 55 points, just being edged out by sixth-ranked Lebanon Valley's 50 points. The Diplomats entered their home opener as the eighth-ranked team in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Division II Millersville won the event with a team score of 28 points.
Seniors Emma Kline (19:29) and Sydney Dzenutis (20:13) led the way with third and eighth place individual showings. Kline was the top Division III finisher in the field, which also featured unattached athletes.
Franklin & Marshall showcased its depth with seniors Grace Miske (20:43), Kate Henderson (21:21) and junior Julianne Cadden (21:45) all placing in the top half of the 40 member race.
After the team's five scoring runners, the Franklin & Marshall first-years came to the finish in a tight group with Lucy Olsen (22:00) and Abby Bachman (22:01) coming within a second of each other. Junior Valerie Fieberg (22:08) and first-year Annalise Kauffman (22:20) also claimed back-to-back finishes inside the top 25 to round out the nine-member F&M contingent during the first meet of the season.
Women's cross country will get an early look at some Centennial Conference competition when the Diplomats return to racing in just six days for the Little Three Meet. That annual race with Dickinson and Gettysburg will be hosted by the Bullets on Friday, September 9.
