October 2, 2021

The Basics

• The lead: For the second straight event, senior Erin Miceli was the top finisher for the Stevens Institute of Technology women's cross country team Friday at the 47th annual Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh University.
• Location: Lehigh Goodman Campus XC Course - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Short Story: Using a 6:26.6 mile pace, Miceli completed the six-kilometer course in a time of 24:02 to lead Stevens' six-runner contingent, finishing 45th out of 263 runners in a field made up of runners from both Division II and III. The time marked the second-fastest 6K of Miceli's career on Castle Point Lebanon Valley University's Lauren Wick won the Women's White 6K race, using an average mile time of 5:50.4 to win the race in 21.47.2. Collectively, Daemen College won the team title with a total of 121 points. Daemen's scoring runners averaged 23:20 in completing the course and the top five runners had a spread of 1:41.5. Stevens finished 19th among all schools and 10th among Division III institutions with a score of 468. The Ducks averaged 25:01 in completing the course. A total of 32 schools competed.
• Of note: The annual event honors Lehigh's former Business Manager of Athletics and cross country enthusiast, Paul Short. The event features over 6,000 student-athletes from 450 colleges and high schools. The open division features runners from all three NCAA divisions and unattached runners. In total 12 races were held throughout the day.

Top Finishers

• Stevens' top-five finishers were spread by 2:25.4 in the second race of the season.
• Senior Trinity Lundemo made her season debut and used an average mile pace of 6:35.1 to complete the race in 24:33.8.
• In their second collegiate race, sophomores Fiona Feerick and Jacqueline Lulaj less than 10 seconds apart in placing 101st and 112, respectively. Feerick averaged 6:40.8 per mile to complete in 24:55.1, while Lulaj averaged 6:43.5 per mile to complete the course in 25:05. 
• Junior Rachel Pinho was the final Duck to score, completing the course in 26:27.4.
• Sophomore Gabriella Toryk rounded out the Ducks' contingent with a time of 28:07.6 in her collegiate debut. 
• Stevens also had a pair of student-athletes, senior Cory Philippe and junior Andrew Donahue, compete in the open men's 8K. A total of 380 runners lined the course and Philippe completed the course in 29:41.2, while Donahue finished in 32:09.7. For both Philippe and Donahue, two of their top-three fastest eight-kilometer races have taken place at the Paul Short Run.

From the Course - Head Coach Lance Harden

• "We had some transportation issues on the way to the meet and our women handled the situation admirably, keeping good spirits and staying focused on the task at hand despite limited time to warm up. Overall, we took a collective step forward from our first meet, and we will continue to improve with experience, hard work, and health."
• "Erin Miceli had a complete race, moving up through the field from the 1.5 mile mark all the way to the finish. Fionna Feerick set a personal best for 6K by around 12 seconds and Jackie Lulaj kicked strongly over the final 1,200 meters to finish well."

Up Next

• Men's and Women's cross country returns to the course on Saturday, Oct. 9 for the DeSales University Invitational in a preview event of the Middle Atlantic Conference championship.

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