The TCNJ women’s cross country team began their season with a first-place finish at the Blue and Gold Invitational held in Ewing, New Jersey. The team scored 35 points, finishing ahead of Montclair State, which had 56 points, and Arcadia, which finished with 73 points.
Freshman Krista Purnell led the Lions by placing fifth overall with a time of 12:25.30. Sophomore Ava Biemuller and senior Noelle Falzone followed closely, tying for sixth place with identical times of 12:29.30.
Junior Naesha Gaedie finished eighth (12:29.50), while freshman Teagan Walker was ninth (12:29.60), rounding out the top five scorers for TCNJ. Seniors Alex Grivas and Savannah Hodgens also contributed to the team’s strong showing by finishing tenth (12:29.70) and eleventh (12:29.80), respectively.
Three additional freshmen—Mia Zicchinella (13:08.90), Lilla Porter (13:16.40), and Kristen Smerdon (13:35.10)—made their collegiate debuts, placing 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.
Overall, TCNJ placed ten runners in the top twenty at the event.
The next meet for the Lions will be the Herb Lorenz Invitational on Friday, September 12, also in Ewing.
