EAST STROUDSBURG – The East Stroudsburg University men's and women's cross country teams are set to open its spring season at the Lock Haven Winter Invite. Along with Lock Haven, the Warriors will race in a 5k against Clarion, Gannon and Shippensburg on a road course in Castanea, Pa.
"Back in the fall when our season was canceled it was hard to know if this day would come," said ESU Interim Head Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field Justin Germani. "Now that it is here, we are extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to compete. We have a great group of upperclassmen on both teams and some talented freshmen on women's side. Although it's not a traditional season, we are Warriors and are always ready to compete."
The Warrior men's cross country team, who finished fourth at the 2019 PSAC Championships, return All-PSAC First Team honoree senior Casey Ellis, who placed seventh in the event. Other returners include Josh D'Agostino, Teddy Mostellar and Luke Valdevitt. ESU welcomes Koodsha Manjaro and Kyle Murphy as newcomers to the roster.
The Warrior women also return an all-conference honoree in senior Mandy Fine, who placed 24th at the 2019 PSAC Championships. ESU returns Samantha Brawner, Brittany Carratura, Holly Orr, Kaylene Raczka, Lauren Reightneour and Kylie Stangle. Incoming freshmen to the squad include Keely Arndt, Emily Furlong and Madison Palmer.
Next on the schedule for the Warriors' men's and women's teams are the PSAC Championships, which will take place on March 20th in Lock Haven.
Along with cross country, East Stroudsburg will compete in women's swimming on Saturday for its first intercollegiate competitions since March 10.
