HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's cross country team turned in a solid showing against a field featuring several Division I and Division II programs Friday afternoon, placing fourth overall at the Haverford Invitational, held at the Fran Rizzo Cross Country Course at Haverford College.
The Fords totaled 128 points, finishing behind Division I programs Penn (27) and Villanova (38), along with Division II Jefferson (60). Haverford finished ahead of Wilmington (142), Saint Peter's (149) and Centennial Conference foe Ursinus (160).
First-year Aaralyn Julian led the way for the Scarlet and Black, placing 21st overall with a time of 19:40.2 over the five-kilometer course. Julian was the top Division III finisher in the field, leading a Haverford contingent that placed three runners among the top 30 overall.
Fellow first-year Charlotte Yanke was next across the line for Haverford, placing 26th overall in 20:04.3. Sophomore Keiko Chinen followed closely behind in 28th with a time of 20:13.4, giving the Fords three runners within the first 28 finishers.
Sophomore Madeline Ruchelman crossed the line 32nd overall in 20:47.8, while senior Judy Xie completed Haverford's scoring five with a 43rd-place finish in 22:48.1.
Just 1:07.6 separated Haverford's first four finishers, with Julian, Yanke, Chinen and Ruchelman all crossing the line under the 21-minute mark. The Scarlet and Black's scoring five finished within 3:07.9 of one another.
Penn captured the team title with 27 points, placing five runners among the top 10 scoring positions to finish ahead of Villanova (38) and Jefferson (60). Jefferson sophomore Olivia Grahn claimed the individual title in 17:17.3, finishing ahead of Penn's Sara Khiri (17:43.7) and Courtney Kaiser (17:51.1).
Haverford now turns its attention to the Centennial Conference Championships, which the Fords will host Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Fran Rizzo Cross Country Course at Haverford College. The women's championship race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., as the Scarlet and Black look to build on their recent performances in front of the home crowd.
