EDINBORO, PA (October 31, 2009) — The Kutztown University women's cross country team placed three runners in the top 30, en route to taking fifth place at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship. The KU men finished in ninth out of 15, and were led by Ben Loht (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) (Lewistown/Indian Valley).

Kristin Cupido (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) led the KU women, finishing in 21st place with a time of 23:50.3.

Maureen Watson (Walnutport, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) (Walnutport/Allentown Central Catholic) and freshman Becca Brandt (Cleona, PA/Cedar Crest) (Cleona/Cedar Crest) were next for the Golden Bears, placing 25th and 26th, respectively. Watson crossed the finish line at 24:05.0 and Brandt shadowed her at 24:06.4.

Keri Brown (Southampton, PA/Seneca) (Southampton/Seneca) and Cheryl Dingman (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) (Lansdale/North Penn) rounded out the top five for the Golden Bears. Brown (31st place) had a time of 24:17.6 and Dingman (44th place) clocked in at 24.33.6.

Shippensburg claimed first place, with an time of 23:04.9. Bloomsburg (2nd), Slippery Rock (3rd) and Lock Haven (4th) finished ahead of the Golden Bear women.

On the men's side, Loht was the first Golden Bear to finish with a time of 27:44.7 (30th place).

Ryan Reich (Oley, PA/Oley Valley) (Oley/Oley Valley) claimed 39th with a time of 28.12.3. Harry Latchford (Enola, PA/East Penn) (Enola/East Penn) crossed at 28:30.8 for a 47th place finish.

Lock Haven was the top finisher for the men, with an average time of 26:42.2. Edinboro and Shippenburg finished second and third, respectively.

The Golden Bears will prepare for the NCAA Atlantic Regional on Saturday November 7 at Mansfield.

--KU--