PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's James P. Tuppeny/Betty J. Costanza Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Steve Dolan, announced the captains for the cross country program. Seniors Ariana Gardizy and Noah Carey will lead the team into the 2021 slate, which begins on Friday at the Lehigh Invitational.
 
"I am looking forward to watching Ariana and Noah compete and lead our cross country teams this fall," said Dolan. "Both have had a number of great moments in cross country and have really excelled on the track over the last few years. They are certainly lead by example captains as they bring positive energy and a great work ethic to practice each day."
 
Gardizy has a decorated history in cross country and on the track. She has been a part of three Ivy League heptagonal championships since 2019. The last time she competed in cross country in the 2019 season, she earned a second-team All-Ivy honor after placing 13th with a time of 21:33.0. Gardizy continued her prowess at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, earning All-Region honors with a 17th place finish to help the Quakers to a sixth-place team finish. She currently sits in the top 10 in program history in four different events between the indoor and outdoor track seasons, including both 3,000, indoor 5,000, and outdoor 10,000.
 
Carey was a part of the last Ivy League heptagonal championship from 2019, as the Quakers earned the program's fourth title and second in a four year stretch. Although no action happened for the 2020 cross country season, Carey performed at a high level in the 2021 outdoor track and field slate. Competing in five meets, he moved himself into the top five in program history in the 1,500, mile, and 5,000. He also qualified for the NCAA east preliminaries in the 5,000, taking 23rd in the race with a time of 13:58.71.
 
The country programs take the gravel for the first time since 2019 on Friday, traveling to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for the Lehigh Invitational. The women's 6k sets off at 5:30 p.m., and is followed with the men's 6k at 6:15 p.m.