Cross Country Goes for Gold at Goldey Beacom Fall Classic

Friday, September 16

Wilmington, Del.

9:00 AM

University of Delaware

Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) Fall Classic

Photo by: Tyler Gallo

Cross Country Goes for Gold at Goldey Beacom Fall Classic

9/16/2022 11:32:00 AM | Women's Cross Country

Photo Gallery

Wilmington, Del. – Cross country continued its 2022 season with their second-straight outright victory, staying close to home and competing at the Goldey Beacom Fall Classic. It was the Blue Hens' first race with Kenyetta Iyevbele as head coach, who was named to the position after former head coach Ryan Waite stepped down earlier this week.

"Today was awesome. The way that the girls executed the plan was spot on," Iyevbele said. "We talk a lot about stacking and everything that's necessary to be successful when you come to perform at these races, and now seeing all that translate into competition is huge. It builds confidence that all of us are trying to work towards as well."

Freshman Grace Chesley paced the entire group of runners, earning her first top finish as a member of the Blue Hens and finishing with a time of 19:30.3. Chesley had never raced at Carousel Park before and came out on top.

"I felt pretty good, the hills were tough throughout the whole race, but I felt like I was keeping steady," Chesley said. "It was tough to figure out how to pace myself, especially being in the front the whole time, I wasn't really sure what to expect."

"Grace is coming from a marathon background, so this was like a speed type of element for her," Iyevbele said of Chesley. "She's been transitioning really well, and that confidence element in short races has been translating for her as well."

The Blue Hens swept the top three results in the race for the second straight meet, with Anna Cleary earning second place with a time of 19:34.3 and Lindsey Volkman placing third, crossing with a time of 19:39.6.

Also placing in the top 8 were Jessica Pidgeon, who finished fourth with a time of 20:13.1, Carolyn Coletti, who placed fifth with a time of 20:16.8, Jessica Stratton, who finished in sixth with a time of 20:29.3, and Alicia LeNoir, who crossed the finish line in seventh with a time of 20:34.7.

Among 11 competitive institutions, Delaware totaled 15 points to finish in first place and earned the team title. Holy Family followed in second with 59, District of Columbia placed third with 79, Harford earned fourth with 91 and Neumann scored 147. Goldey Beacom, Chestnut Hill, Georgian Court, Delaware Tech, Washington Adventist and Penn State Brandywine also competed in the meet.

The Blue Hens take the trek to the Gopher State next weekend, heading to the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis hosted by the University of Minnesota.