UNIVERSITY PARK, PA- The UConn women's cross country team continued their strong start to the season, finishing fourth in team score at the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational Friday morning hosted by Penn State University.

After her impressive season last season, Senior Chloe Thomas pulled away from the rest of the 6K field, winning the race by twelve seconds over the second place runner, with a time of 19:51.8. Jenna Zydanowicz secured fourth place for the Huskies with a time of 20.19.4. Caroline Towle placed in the top 15 as well with a time of 20.50.1 

Sophomores Malin Rahm and Chloe Trudel had times of 21.12.3 and 21.24.9 respectively. Madison Relyea and Loghan Hughes built on their races last week, with times of 21:46.2 and 21:49.0. Rachael Woodruff ran the 6k course in 21:58.3. Sophomore Calista Mayer finished in 22:07.1, and freshman Claire Paci completed the race in 22:16.9.

Host Penn State was first overall in team finish, followed by Syracuse and Princeton, the only three squads to finish ahead of UConn.

Quote from Director of Cross Country & Track and Field Beth Sullivan:

"We had an excellent trip to Penn State to complete the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational. Penn State and their staff put together a great and competitive field. Our team at full strength today showed how we have the pieces to compete and achieve success throughout the season. I thought we packed a really good 1-2 punch with Chloe Thomas and Jenna Zydanowicz. The effort by these seniors will inspire and bring along the team as the season unfolds."

Of Note: With her time of 19:51.8, Thomas set a meet record and ran the fourth-fastest time in the history of PSU blue white course. 

Up Next: UConn will travel back to Pennsylvania, competing in the Paul Short Invitational in Bethlehem, PA, hosted by Lehigh University on Saturday, October 5^th.