Levine and Meyyappan Lead Tartans at Lehigh University Paul Short Invitational

(BETHLEHEM, Pa.) - In a field of Division I, II and III runners, the Carnegie Mellon University women's cross-country team placed 13th in a field of 43 teams in the brown race at the Lehigh University Paul Short Invitational. This week marked the Tartan's first competitive meet of the season against nationally ranked teams across all divisions.

In a tie for 27th place, junior Abigail Levine (Bethesda, Md. / Bethesda Chevy Chase) and sophomore Parvathi Meyyappan (Cupertino, Calif. / Monta Vista) led the Tartans, as both crossed the line in 22:29. "Running with Abigail has been my goal over the past year. In the future I hope to be able to run with her the whole race to push the pace," said Meyyappan, who caught up to Levine in her final sprint. "I usually struggle during the second mile of the race but today's competition helped me through," said the sophomore.

Junior Valerie Collins (Wellesley, Mass. / Wellesley) finished third for the Tartans and 95th overall in a time of 23:29. In her first 6k cross-country race, freshman Kristen Seballos (Cleveland, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) crossed the finish in fourth for the Cardinal and Gray in a time of 23:46 placing 127th overall. "It was a good start to my collegiate 6k career but definitely a performance I can improve upon," added Seballos.

Juniors Emmalyn Lindsey (Eugene, Ore. / South Eugene) and Kate Reilly (Scranton, Pa. / Scranton Prep) finished fifth and sixth, respectively, for the Tartans. Lindsey completed the course in a time of 23:52 in 141st place. Reilly followed in a time of 24:06 placing 164th overall. Sophomore Isabelle Chickanosky (St. Louis, Mo. / St. Joseph's Academy) was seventh for the Cardinal and Gray finishing in a time of 24:13.

The Tartans will compete again on their home course at the Carnegie Mellon Hampton Inn Pittsburgh – University/Medical Center Invitational in Shenley Park on Saturday, October 6.