Wolfpack Earn #2 Ranking in First National Poll

YOUNGWOOD, Pa. - After winning their first two invitationals of the season, the Westmoreland County Community College women's cross country team earned its highest ranking ever in the USTFCCCAA national poll, opening at #2 in the initial poll of the season.

After winning their own invitational on Sept. 11, the Wolfpack were impressive in taking first place at the Laker Strong Invitational last Saturday at Garrett College, placing five of the top six runners. Sophomore Brooke Bertovich won her second invitational as well, crossing the finish line in 23:29, which was three seconds faster than her time the previous week. First-year runner Jenn Depree came in second, while sophomore Olivia Jumper was third and first-year runners Nytasha Marteny and Anna Rubino were fifth and sixth, respectively.

Sitting atop the poll is Joilet CC out of Illinois, who took third last weekend at the Heartland CC Invitational. Coming in at #3 is Georgia Military College and at #4 is Lorain (Ohio) CC, who Westmoreland edged out at the Wolfpack Invitational Sept. 11.

Head coach Pat Comer, who is in his 10th season as the head coach and led the team to its previous best ranking of #5 after last season, said this ranking is even more impressive due to the circumstances around it.

"This team has overcome so much adversity," said Comer, who was the USTFCCCA Central Region NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year last fall. "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."

The Wolfpack are off this weekend before returning to the trails on Oct. 3rd at the Penn Highlands Invitational in Johnstown.