FARMINGDALE, N.Y.-- The Kutztown University women's cross country team opened the 2023 campaign on Long Island Friday afternoon, taking part in the Panter XC Invite hosted by Adelphi. The Golden Bears finished second out of 13 teams on the afternoon with 62 points.

Senior Jaelyn D'Amelio (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) and junior Erika Moriarty (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) both turned in top-ten finishes at Bethpage Park. D'Amelio finished fifth with a time of 19:23.60, while Moriarty came in eighth with a time of 19:52.20.

Deandra Young (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) and Ava Bendetti (Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland) followed close behind with 12th and 20th place finishes respectively. The freshman duo of Sage Dunkleberger (Watsontown, Pa./Warrior Run) and Maura Lenhart (Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh) finished one place apart in 26th and 27th in their collegiate debuts.

Julianna Elsesser (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland), Fiona Buffington (Landenberg, Pa./Avon Grove), and Madeline Barney (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) rounded out the Golden Bears to compete on the afternoon. No KU runner finished below 41st place.

Fellow PSAC school East Stroudsburg captured first with 34 points. Hosts Adelphi finished third with 79 points, while Eastern Connecticut State and Molly rounded out the top five. 

The Golden Bears are back in action in two weeks on home turf at the KU DII/DII Challenge. Action from the North Campus Farm Course will kick off for the women's team at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15.

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Panther XC Invite
Friday, Sept. 1 | Farmingdale, N.Y.
5,000m | 98 runners

KUTZTOWN RESULTS
Team: 2nd/13 (62 pts.)

5. Jaelyn D'Amelio (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), 19:23:60
8. Erika Moriarty (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown), 19:52.20
12. Deandra Young (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), 20:16.00
20. Ava Bendetti (Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland), 20:45.60
26. Sage Dunkleberger (Watsontown, Pa./Warrior Run), 21:03.50
27. Maura Lenhart (Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh), 21:09.00
32. Julianna Elsesser (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland), 21:43.20
40. Fiona Buffington (Landenberg, Pa./Avon Grove), 22:20.70
41. Madeline Barney (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills), 23:09.20