ABINGTON, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College cross country team took fifth at the Penn State Abington Invitational on Saturday morning at Lorimer Park, collecting a team score of 136.

"I'm really proud of how tough we raced today," said Head Cross Country Coach Jaryd Flank. "Finishing up a three-week stretch of hilly races, I feel great about the direction we are headed in this season. Shout out to Giada for her first podium finish of her career and overall great race."

Sophomore Giada Smith (Springtown, Pa./Palisades) led the way with a 12^th-place finish, crossing the finish line in 29:18.35. Sophomore Kasia Dos Santos (Slatington, Pa./Northern Lehigh) followed in 24^th in a time of 32:37.70. First-year Lillian Waugh (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area) recorded a time of 33:33.03, taking 28^th. Senior Shayla Simek (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton Area) was the next to complete the race, clocking a time of 38:12.39. Sophomore Arianna Gonzalez (Fallsburg, N.Y./Fallsburg Junior Senior) closed out the top-five runners for the Falcons, placing 51^st (40:47.18).

Sophomore Abby Adams (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) rounded out the participants for Cedar Crest, finishing 53^rd overall in a time of 40:54.10.

Cedar Crest will next race at the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University on Friday, October 3 at 4:00 p.m.