Easton, PA (October 17, 2009) – After two weeks off, the cross-country teams trekked into the rain to compete at the Lafayette Leopard Invitational. The women finished second with 52 points and the men finished in sixth with 179 points.

The rain did not stop the Kutztown women, who are ranked 19th nationally and third in the Atlantic Region in the latest United States Track and Field Cross-County Coaches Track and Field Coaches  Association (USTFCCCA) .

Five of women placed in the top 15. Junior Kristin Cupido (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan)  finished third overall and first for Kutztown with at time of 21:44.9. Cristina Reimer (Chester Springs, PA/Downingtown East) (Chester Spring/Downingtown East) placed 10th, recording a time of 22:32.2 Senior Maureen Watson (Walnutport, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) (Walnutport/Allentown Central Catholic) followed closely behind Reimer, (22:33.6) securing 11th place. Steph Grimm (Fleetwood, PA/Oley Valley) (Fleetwood/Oley Valley)  placed 13th (22:41.70) and freshman Becca Brandt (Cleona, PA/Cedar Crest) (Cleona/Cedar Crest) grabbed 15th place in just 22:48.30.

For the men's cross-country team, (ranked seventh in the Atlantic Region), Ben Loht (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) (Lewistown/Indian Valley) finished first for Kutztown, crossing the line 21st with a time of 26:54.20. Ryan Reich (Oley, PA/Oley Valley) (Oley/Oley Valley) finished in 27:19.50 for 29th place.  Kevin Rodgers (Clifton Heights, PA/Upper Darby) (Clifton Heights/Upper Darby) placed 32nd with at time of 27:26.20. Eli Weeks (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) (Pottstown/Owen J. Roberts) finished in 28:01.40 for 42nd place.

Both squads finish their regular season at the Nevins Invitational at East Stroudsburg University on Oct 24th for a 10 a.m. scheduled shotgun.

--KU--