DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s and women’s cross country teams opened its 2010 season on Saturday morning, Sept. 4,  at the Delaware Valley Invitational, with sophomore Michelle Herman (Altoona, Pa./Hollidaysburg) leading the way for the teams by finishing in 26th place in the women’s 6K event.

Herman posted a time of 25:45.10 for the Warriors in her first race of the year and freshman Kerri Kearney (Gardners, Pa./Bermudian Springs) finished in 36:58.

On the men’s side, the Warriors finished 19th in the 22-team field, with freshman Michael Puchalski posting a time of 30:55 to finish 74th and senior Jake Lewis (Mickleton, N.J./Kingsway Regional) posting a time of 32:01.49 to finish 108th.  

Junior Robert Wiechecki (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) posted a time of 33:53.10 in the 8K race, good for a 143rd-place finish. Sophomore Kevin Guerin (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) added a time of 36:28.21 for a finish of 171st and senior Alex Beattie (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) crossed the line at 37:35.98 to finish 178th. Senior Jordan Baker (St. Mary's, Pa./Home-schooled) crossed in 40:17.74 and freshman Isaiah Thomas (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergen C.C.) added a time of 41:31.40. Senior Patrick Welteroth (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) crossed the line in 50:48.94 to complete the Warriors’ run.

"I was pleased with the performances of Michelle Herman, Michael Puchalski and Jake Lewis," Lycoming head coach Lesley Larson said. "During the men's race, the top five were within one minute of each other through the first three miles. It's a good starting point. The field was competitive, D-II teams and, of course, the D-III running powerhouses like Messiah and Elizabethtown-a tough first meet."