POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.- The UConn women's cross country team finished second in team score to kick off their 2024 season at the Marist Season Opener in Poughkeepsie, New York on Saturday morning. 

The Huskies secured third, fourth, and seventh place times finishing with an overall team score of 42 points, only 5 behind the host Marist team. The University of Albany came in third in overall team score with a total of 72 in the 5 kilometer race.

Loghan Hughes led the way for UConn with the best race of her career, posting a time of 18:19.8 in the 5k that earned third overall in the race. Teammate Madison Relyea was close behind, running a time of 18:21.3 to secure fourth. 

Freshman Claire Paci kicked off her collegiate career with an impressive seventh place finish of 18:29.9. Junior Calista Mayer ran a time of 18:57.1, securing twelfth overall in the race. Junior Jackie Izzo and Junior Ally McCarthy rounded out the Huskies, both breaking the 20 minute mark in the 5K race.

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

"It was a very good opener for us. We are excited to be back in the mode of cross country racing and starting things. We ran a small squad this morning. Of the women that competed, we placed 3 in the top 10. Great performances from Loghan (Hughes), who had a personal best, and great start for Claire (Paci) in her first race. We are just getting started."

Up Next:

The Huskies will gear up for the Spiked Shoe Invitational on Friday, September 13^th in University Park, PA hosted by Penn State University.