TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Pennsylvania cross country teams competed at the Pre-National Invitational on Friday, Oct. 16, hosted by Indiana State. Allison Lee led the women's team with a 35th-place finish in the Blue 6K, while Joseph Ruiz paced the men in the Blue 8K, marking his first time leading the Quakers. The meet provided Penn with valuable experience against a competitive national-level field as the teams continue building toward the postseason.

Lee led the way for the women, crossing the finish line in 20:09.4 to place 35th overall. Sarah Fischer was next across for the Quakers, finishing in 20:48.5. Izzy Rodriguez followed with a time of 21:13.7, while Emily Reid and Gabrielle Jones rounded out Penn's top five. Reid clocked in at 21:24.3, and Jones  paced for 21:25.8.

Ruiz led the men's team in the Blue 8K, crossing the line at 24:19.3 in his first race as Penn's top finisher. George Keen followed in 24:36.5 to place, while Kofi Fordjour crossed in 24:44.0.

The Quakers showed depth across their top finishers, with just 28.6 seconds separating Penn's first five runners. Liam Jordan recorded a notable performance, finishing in 24:47.1, his first run in Penn's top five, while Chris Larnard clocked in at 24:47.9.

Penn also had several runners compete in the unscored White races. In the women's White 6K, L'Mio Edwards led the Quakers with a 41st place finish in 21:44.7. Lily Lyons followed in 47th in 21:50.1, while Alexa Matora placed 50th in 21:51.6. Camille Jordan rounded out the group, finishing in 22:06.8.

On the men's side, Raghav Gopalakrishnan led Penn in the White 8K, finishing 35th in 25:11.0. Brody Watt followed in 55th with a time of 25:23.0.

The Pre-National Invitational served as a valuable test against strong competition for both squads. With a close grouping among the men's top finishers and promising individual performances on both sides, Penn will look to build on the experience during the next two weeks of training and preparation for its upcoming championship competition.

 
UP NEXT
Penn women's cross country will return in Pennsylvania for the Haverford Invitational in Haverford, Pa.
 
Pre-National Invitational
Terry Haute, Ind.
Oct. 16, 2026
 
Top 5 Results
Women's Blue 6k – 24^th out of 43 teams
35. Allison Lee – 20:09.4
83. Sarah Fischer – 20:48.5
151. Izzy Rodriguez – 21:13.7
177. Emily Reid – 21:24.3
180. Gabrielle Jones – 21:25.8
 
Men's Blue 8k – 34^th out of 44 teams
101. Joseph Ruiz – 24:19.3
169. George Keen – 24:36.5
190. Kofi Fordjour – 24:44.0
203. Liam Jordan – 24:47.1
205. Chris Larnard – 24:47.9
 
Women's White 6k – No Team Scoring
41. L'Mio Edwards – 21:44.7
47. Lily Lyons – 21:50.1
50. Alexa Matora – 21:51.6
84. Camille Jordan – 22:06.8
 
Men's White 8k – No Team Scoring
35. Raghav Gopalakrishnan – 25:11.0
55. Brody Watt – 25:23.0
 
 
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