Preview: Colonials XC ready for season opener at Pitt Panther Open

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Thomas Ognibene and Thomas Ognibene

PITTSBURGH– The Robert Morris women’s cross country team is setting its eyes on the upcoming season opener this Friday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Pitt Panther Open. The Pittsburgh Panthers are the host of this meet, it is the first meet they are hosting in 42 years.

It is an exciting time for runners in the area as they get to race at the national historic landmark “Carrie Blast Furnace” along the Monongahela River, which operated roughly over 100 years ago from 1884 to 1982 during its highest manufacturing of 1,000 to 1,500 tons of iron per day. Both the women’s 4K course and men’s 6K course will wrap around the property.

Under the coaching of Caitlin Cotter, RMU is led by a pair of juniors in Martha Gardner and Sami Felton. In addition, juniors Jordan Redinger and Tara Richardson plus sophomores Laura Lintelman, Sonnie Sauvinsky, and Alexis Mullarkey will help guide the up and coming young core of runners. The 2019 NEC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll had the Colonials coming in at 6th on the list out of 11 total teams in the conference.

Following Friday’s meet, the team heads to the Tommy Evans Invitational next weekend.