Women's Cross Country's Blanca Fernandez Wins Big 5 Invitational

Friday, September 11

Philadelphia, Pa. (Belmont Plateau)

6:00 p.m.

Temple University

Big 5 Invitational

Blanca Fernandez

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Women's Cross Country's Blanca Fernandez Wins Big 5 Invitational

9.11.15 | Women's Cross Country

PHILADELPHIA - In her first cross country race in a Temple uniform, two-time track All-American Blanca Fernandez bested the field to earn the title of Big 5 Invitational Champion. Fernandez completed the 4K race in a time of 14:11.7, and was among the leaders the entire way at Belmont Plateau on Friday evening.

"Blanca is a national-caliber athlete, so the expectation was to come here and win," said coach James Snyder after the race. "We've got a very young team. We've got some fresh faces and people are doing a good job. We had a nice group running together and I was happy to see that. I always encourage our kids to find each other and work together...I'm content with where we are right now, but I know there's bigger things in our future and that's what I'm looking forward to."

The Owls got a 24th-place showing from sophomore Katie Pinson in a time of 15:12.9. Freshman Alexis O'Shea was 33rd, and freshman Katie Leisher placed 41st.

In the team standings, Temple's young squad placed fifth against their city rivals.

Next up for Temple is the Main Line Invite nearby at Haverford College on Friday, Sept. 18.

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