University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Delaware Invitational (W)
Freshman Mackenzie Jones Leads Delaware Again as Hens Place Second at UD Invitational
9/10/2016 12:06:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
NEWARK, Del. -- Led once again by freshman Mackenzie Jones, the University of Delaware women's cross country team placed second at the Delaware Invitational Saturday morning at White Clay Creek State Park.
The men's eight-kilometer race, which was scheduled to begin at 10:40 a.m. following the women's race, was canceled due to excessive heat. Race time temperatures for the women's competition was 
81 degrees but felt like 91 due to the humidity. Several runners were treated following the race for heat related issues.
Delaware placed four runners in the top 10, including a fourth place finish by Jones, to earn 43 total points and finish second out of five teams in the overall standings.
Colonial Athletic Association rival Towson won the team title with 19 points followed by Delaware, Elizabethtown (80), Bryn Mawr (125), Wilmington (150), and Millersville (156).
Towson's Hannah Walter was the individual winner as she covered the six-kilometer course in a time of 23:13.68 to best 99 other runners. Teammate Megan Knoblock was second with a time of 23:24.84.
Jones (above), a freshman from Danville, Pa. (Danville HS), led the Hens for the second time in two weeks after placing third overall last week as Delaware captured the Lehigh Invitational team title. On Saturday morning, Jones covered the course in a time of 23:45.47, 20 seconds ahead of her next nearest teammate.
Also for Delaware, sophomore Molly Doyle placed sixth (24:05.43), sophomore Lauren Zodl was seventh (24:15.36), freshman Stephanie Bazan was 12th (24:43.60), and senior Gabby Alaimo finished 16th (24:57.85).
Zodl finished in the top 10 for second straight year after placing second a year ago. Doyle improved 25 places after a 31st place finish in 2015.
Jones becomes the first Delaware freshman to lead the Blue Hens in the first two races of the season since Cassie White, who led Delaware with a fourth place finish at the Towson Invitational and a 17th place showing in the Delaware Invitational to open the 2007 season.
Delaware will now take a two-week break before returning to action Oct. 1 at the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh. In addition to hosting the CAA Championships on Oct. 29, Delaware will also host the annual Blue & Gold Invitational on Oct. 8 at White Clay Creek.
AGATE:
Women's Final Team Standings: 1. Towson - 19; 2. Delaware - 43; 3. Elizabethtown - 80; 4. Bryn Mawr - 125; 5. Wilmington - 150; 6. Millersville - 156.
Top 5 Finishers: 1. Hannah Walter (Towson), 23:13.68; 2. Megan Knoblock (Towson), 23:24.84; 3. Erica Israel (Towson), 23:44.54; 4. Mackenzie Jones (Delaware), 23:45.47; 5. Allison Marella (Towson), 24:03.35.
Other Top Delaware Finishers: 6. Molly Doyle, 24:05.43 ; 7. Lauren Zodl, 24:15.36; 12. Stephanie Bazan, 24:43.60; 16. Gabrielle Alaimo, 24:57.85; 20. Analise Kaminski, Analise, 25:05.02; 21. Emily Paolucci, 25:06.78; 27. Madeline Berman, 25:46.34
Note: Men's meet canceled due to excessive heat
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
Players Mentioned
