Lynchburg Opens Season Against Division I Competition at Liberty Challenge
The University of Lynchburg cross country teams kicked off the season against a Division I field at the Liberty Challenge on Friday in Lynchburg, Virginia. Both Hornets squads treated the race as an early workout as they prepare for a three-week stretch before their next meet in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event also marked the first coaching appearance for assistant coach Sam Llaneza, who has taken over the distance program from Jake Reed.
Women’s 4K
– Adelynn Carpenter led Lynchburg with a 16:09.2 finish, placing 12th.
– Jordan DiRisio finished 13th in 16:29.2.
– Taylor Hill was close behind in 14th with 16:32.8.
– Delaney Saulsbury crossed in 16:41.4 for 16th.
– Mya Baker added a 16:47.2 run to round out the scoring.
– Lynchburg totaled 50 points, finishing second in the team standings.
– Four of Lynchburg’s top five finishers are sophomores, and three of those athletes also competed at the 2024 DIII NCAA Championships.
Men’s 6K
– Alex Paciello led the Hornets with a 20:27.3 performance for 12th.
– Alex Jordan finished in 20:39.7, followed by Cameron Sidebotham in 20:41.6.
– Jack Weddle completed in 20:51.1, with Aidan Riggle close behind at 20:51.2.
– Lynchburg’s scoring men totaled 50 points.
– Twenty-six male athletes competed for the Hornets.
Next on the schedule
Lynchburg returns to action on Friday, September 19, at 5:00 p.m. for the Adidas XC Challenge in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Summary
The Hornets used the Liberty Challenge as a productive early-season workout against strong competition, highlighted by a deep and youthful roster. The women and men both posted runner-up team scores, and several sophomores stood out among the top finishers, setting a positive tone as Lynchburg heads to Raleigh for the next meet. The season under new distance program leadership begins on a promising note, with more racing opportunities on the horizon.
Additional notes
– Full results are available through Lynchburg athletics’ coverage.
– Fans can follow Lynchburg athletics on its official channels for updates as the season progresses.