Abby Paczewski Takes Win at Bison Open, Bucknell Earns Team Title

Friday, September 2

Lewisburg, Pa.

6 p.m.

Bucknell University

Bison Opener

Hollie Walters

Photo by: Cole Cloonan

Abby Paczewski Takes Win at Bison Open, Bucknell Earns Team Title

9/2/2022 7:37:00 PM | Women's Cross Country

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Abby Paczewski opened up her junior campaign with a first-place finish at the Bison Open on Friday evening, as Bucknell took the top three spots and six of the top ten places in its season-opening meet.

Results

"Our women ran a very solid race, and I was pleased to see our top three essentially run together the entire race," said head coach Kevin Donner. "Paczewski and Clarke are juniors who are at a much higher level than a year ago. First-year Caryn Rippey looked good, running right with them. Misutka missed most of last year, and was with our top three for much of the race. She just needs some more fitness. Laura Sakol had one of her best-ever cross country races as well. Asta Rustad moved up nicely throughout the race and was a solid number six for us. I believe we have plenty of room for improvement, as a few others looked tired due to some hard training. Once we lighten the load, we will have a larger pack together."

The Bison (21) took the top spot at the meet for the second straight year, edging out fellow Patriot League foes Lafayette (57), American (68), and Loyola (Md.) (102) to take the team title.

Paczewski, who finished the 3.9K course in a time of 14:15.4, just edged out teammate and first-year Caryn Rippey (14.16.0) for top honors, with Ally Clarke (14:17.9) finishing third overall.

Keeley Misutka (7th, 14:39.6) and Laura Sakol (8th, 14:45.4) rounded out Bucknell's scoring runners, while Asta Rustad (10th, 14:51.1) also finished in a top-ten spot in the field of 59 competitors.

Bucknell fielded 18 runners on the day, with Kate Amaddio (11th) and first-year Grace Vives (15th) earning top-20 finishes.

Meghan Smith (21st), Lauren Joyce (26th), Hollie Walters (30th), Tori Chace (33rd), Meredith Haberfield (35th), Aidan Smith, Eva Lindner, Kera Reinhard, Anna Posh, and Mia Bellucci also competed for the Bison on Friday.

Bucknell will now have over a week to prepare for its next meet, with a trip to New York scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 as the team competes at the Siena Invite.