Women's XC Prepares for Landmark Championships

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata women's cross country team looks for a strong finish among Landmark competitors this weekend when they head to the Landmark Championships at King's Point. 

The Eagles will look to sophomore Allyson Kopera (Hastings, Pa. / Northern Cambria) to lead the pack. Kopera has been the top finisher for the Eagles this season, consistently placing in the top 30.

Freshman Yanibel Collado (Freeport, N.Y. / Milton Hershey) and senior Jecenia Duran (Temple, Pa. / Oley Valley) have followed close behind and will be looking to make key contributions for the team on Saturday. Freshman Meaghen Stewart (Greensburg, Pa / Hempfield Area) and sophomore Vanessa Hurst (Ephrata, Pa. / Ephrata) are also seeking to place amongst the team's top runners. 

Head Coach Jon Cutright is confident in where the team is at this point in the season and hopes for a top four finish. 

"I feel like we are running better than we have all year," Cutright said. "We are starting to get our legs under us and are looking the best we have so far this season." 

While the Eagles haven't faced much Landmark competition throughout the season, Cutright believes the team is well prepared for Saturday.

"We have run harder courses than most other teams," Cutright said. "Our preparation has been geared toward what I think this course is like, and we are trending up at the moment. By keeping our strategy of running in a pack, we are making it easier on ourselves as well." 

The race is set to begin at 12 p.m. Saturday Oct. 31.