LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University women’s cross country team, ranked No. 3 in the Atlantic Region, is set to open the 2019 season at home on Friday, September 6 vs. Division I Penn State at the Dolan Duals.
Friday’s season-opener comes in typical and traditional fashion as LHU opens with the Dolan Duals, an annual dual-meet with DI Penn State. The meet, which started in 2007, is named in honor of Jim Dolan, a former LHU professor and cross country coach, who remains one of The Haven’s biggest track and field and cross country supporters. As part of the special dual-meet to kick off the season, Dolan acts as the honorary starter for both the men’s and women’s race.
The women’s 4,000-meter race will start at 6 p.m.
The Bald Eagles will enter the season ranked No. 3 in the Atlantic Region. LHU was also picked third in the 2019 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Last season, LHU finished fifth at the PSAC Championships behind three All-Conference performers. All three runners return to lead the way for Lock Haven this season.
Last season’s (‘18) conference meet marked the first time in history where Lock Haven crowned three All-Conference runners on the women’s side. Laurel Moyer, Cadie Kiser and Amanda Shultz all ran to All-Conference honors by way of their top-30 finishes.
As a team, the Bald Eagles finished fifth out of 17 teams and LHU was just two points behind fourth-place Seton Hill last fall. Moyer was fourth overall with a time of 24:08 (6K). Her fourth-place finish marked the best showing from a Bald Eagle since Shala Simms placed sixth in 2005. No LHU woman runner had placed fourth at the PSAC Championships since 1988.
In all, Lock Haven returns all seven runners from both the PSAC and Atlantic Region championship meets.
Freshman Elaina Klinger will look to make an immediate impact and battle for a top-seven position. She comes to Lock Haven after a brilliant career at Danville High School, a premier Pennsylvania high school program.
After Friday’s Dolan Duals, Lock Haven will return to action on Saturday, September 14 at the Division II/III Challenge, hosted by Kutztown. The Dolan Duals is one of four meets LHU will host this upcoming season. The Bald Eagles get the honor of hosting the 2019 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championships on Saturday, November 9.
