Slippery Rock University’s men’s and women’s cross country teams will look to carry their early-season momentum into this weekend’s Carnegie Mellon Invitational.
On the men’s side, The Rock has shown both individual star power and impressive depth through its first three meets. Senior Easton Adamczyk opened the season with a victory at the Doug Watts Open, leading SRU to the team title. Adamczyk crossed the finish line first in 19:50.50 as Slippery Rock placed all five scorers inside the top nine to comfortably secure the team championship.
Adamczyk continued his strong start at the RMU Colonial Invitational, finishing 10th overall and placing second among Division II runners in a field that included several Division I programs. He has been joined by a consistent supporting cast that includes Eli Schreiber, Michael Gauntner, Ty Fiscus and Blake Glass, giving the Rock one of its deepest lineups in recent years.
That depth was on full display at the Lock Haven Invitational. Competing in the highly competitive Crimson Race, SRU placed fourth out of 22 teams, while the team’s second group captured the White Race title. Schreiber led the Crimson squad with a 13th-place finish, while Scotty McConnell paced the White Race contingent with a sixth-place showing.
The women’s team has enjoyed similar success, anchored by standout Carissa Flynn. Flynn opened her season in dominant fashion by winning the Doug Watts Open in 18:40.90, finishing 21 seconds ahead of second place and helping SRU place second in the team standings.
The Rock followed that performance with a fifth-place finish at the RMU Colonial Invitational against a loaded field. Flynn again led the way, placing 16th overall and finishing as the top Division II runner in the race.
SRU’s young talent has also made an immediate impact. Freshmen Caroline Wilson, Kaydence Wisner and Adi Jackson have consistently contributed among the team’s scorers, providing valuable depth around veterans such as Flynn, Marabelle Thornberry and Kayla Hanna.
At the Lock Haven Invitational, the Rock nearly captured a team title in the Crimson Race, finishing second by just three points behind Northwood. Flynn recorded another top-five finish, while Thornberry, Brynleigh Moody, Hannah Burgoon and Jackson rounded out SRU’s scoring lineup. In the White Race, Lila Miller earned a runner-up finish and Kayla Flanigan placed fifth, helping the Rock secure third place.
Both the men’s and women’s squads will be back in action this weekend when they travel south to the CMU Invitational in Clinton, Pa.
