With two wins in as many races to open the season, the Westmoreland County Community College women’s cross country team finds itself in elite company.
For the first time, WCCC is ranked No. 2 in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national poll.
WCCC won its Wolfpack Invitational on Sept. 11 and finished first at the Laker Strong Invitational at Garrett College (W.Va.) two weeks ago. The Wolfpack took five of the top six places in the latter event.
Joilet Community College (Ill.) is ranked No. 1, while Georgia Military College (3), Lorain Community College of Ohio (4) round out the top four.
The previous best national ranking for WCCC was No. 5 last season.
“This team has overcome so much adversity,” said coach Pat Comer, the USTFCCCA Central Region NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year last season. “Putting in all those summer miles individually during quarantine while not even knowing if we were going to have a season to now being a legit contender at nationals in a month and a half, I could not be more proud of this group.”
WCCC returns to action Saturday at the Penn Highlands Invitational in Johnstown.
Women’s golf
Penn State: Senior Olivia Zambruno (Greensburg Central Catholic) is averaging 76.62 in 21 rounds across the 2019-20 season. Her best finish was a tie for 22nd at the Bettie Lou Evans Invitational, while her low round came at the UCF Challenge (71).
Men’s golf
Notre Dame: Sophomore Palmer Jackson (Franklin Regional) finished tied for fifth at the GCAA Champaign Amateur, carding rounds of 72, 71 and 70 to finish at 3-under 213. It was a non-NCAA event by the Fighting Irish had five players finish in thr top 20 at the event.
West Virginia: Junior Mark Goetz (Greensburg/The Kiski School) made his way into the starting lineup with solid play in team qualifiers. He will be exempt for the Big 12 Conference Fall Series and has a spot in the HealthPlan Mountaineer Invitational.
