October 4, 2025

PSU Schuylkill Posts Strong Showing at Highlander XC Invitational in Langhorne

Ashton Owens led the men’s team with a 32:13 finish for 27th overall, while sophomore Lilley Anderson placed 15th in 27:42 to pace the women’s squad.

Results

The Penn State Schuylkill men's and women's cross country teams continued their fall campaign at the Cairn University Highlander Invitational in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, facing a challenging, hilly course and strong competition from regional NCAA and PSUAC programs. Both squads demonstrated continued growth and teamwork, highlighted by standout performances from junior Ashton Owens and sophomore Lilley Anderson.

Men's 8K Recap

Team Place: 13th | Score: 270 | Total Team Time: 2:59:39.8

Junior Ashton Owens once again led the way for the Lions, finishing 27th overall in 32:13.0, setting a strong tone early and holding consistent pace throughout the race.

Senior Matthew O. followed as the team's No. 2 finisher with a time of 33:40.1, while freshman Francisco Ortiz recorded a solid 34:26.3, marking one of his most consistent collegiate efforts to date. First-year runners Gabriel Karnes (35:50.1) and Justin Garrido (43:30.6) rounded out the scoring five, with Shane Smith (43:37.1) close behind.

Despite battling one of the toughest courses of the season, the men's team showed improved pack running and steady endurance—key signs of progress as the season moves toward the conference championships.

By the Numbers

  • Top Finisher: Ashton Owens – 27th (32:13)

  • Three freshmen in scoring positions

  • Team spread (1–5): 11:24

  • Season-best total time under three hours

Women's 6K Recap

Team Place: 9th | Score: 225 | Total Team Time: 3:08:56.0

Sophomore Lilley Anderson delivered another strong outing for the Lions, placing 15th overall in 27:42.7 with a 7:26 average mile pace on the demanding course. Anderson's consistency and late-race push anchored the women's top-10 team finish.

Junior JiaYi Gong (34:29.0) and freshman Abigail Smithnosky (36:27.9) followed as the team's second and third scorers, with sophomores Hanna Bulles (43:29.6) and Jessica Cecil (46:47.2) closing out the top five.

The women continued to show steady improvement across the board, posting several season-best 6K marks and maintaining tighter scoring gaps compared to earlier meets.

By the Numbers

  • Top Finisher: Lilley Anderson – 15th (27:42)

  • Three sophomores, one junior, one freshman in scoring positions

  • Team spread (1–5): 19:05

  • Improved average pace across all runners