Point Park competed against runners from other PA-based schools such as Robert Morris, Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Thiel College. Out-of-state universities such as West Virginia University, Mount Union, Baldwin Wallace and Walsh University were also among those competing on Saturday.

First-year Cassondra O’Conner, who was coming off a first place finish at the West Liberty Invitational on September 5, led the way for the women’s team this weekend. O’Connor finished the 5k race with a time of 18 minutes and 29.22 seconds, which ranks in the top five of Point Park’s history of 5k races.

O’Conner was followed up by Jana Schmid in 32nd place with a time of 19 minutes and 14.1 seconds and Sophia Lee-Hauser in 43rd place at 19 minutes and 32.6 seconds. The women’s team had six more runners finish in the top 100. 

History was made on the men’s team with sophomore Luke McKenna setting a school record in the 8k at 25 minutes and 47.8 seconds. McKenna’s historic run placed him in 14th overall for the men’s 8k race.

Five other runners on the men’s team finished in the top 100, including Elijah James in 45th, Jannik Windelband in 52nd and Albin Petschauer in 53rd.

The women’s team finished with a score of 164 points and the men finished with 171 points. Both teams earned sixth place overall.

Walsh University took first place overall for the women’s 5k, with Robert Morris and Carneigie Mellon rounding out the top three. For the men’s race, Carnegie Mellon, Walsh and Mount Union scored in the top three spots. 

Point Park’s next meet is on Sept. 28 at the West Branch Course in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania for the Lock Haven Cross Country Invitational.