Lock Haven, Pa. – The women's cross country team seized its third Landmark Championship in four years Saturday morning, placing 5 runners in the top 20 to come away with a sound victory. 

Catholic earned 38 points, besting the favorite Scranton (70) by 22 points. This marks the program's lowest championship score in history; the previous best came in 2023 with 41 points. 

Saffron Blume and Scranton's Kyrianna Nemitz battled for the top spot as they trekked across the course. In the final stretch, Nemitz pulled ahead, taking first. Blume crossed the finish line in 21:50.6 as the fastest freshmen of the meet, securing an individual silver. With her performance today, Blume earned the Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year title. This is the second season in a row that Catholic has brought home the honor. 

Olivia Sobkowicz, who was last season's Landmark Rookie of the Year, was the next Catholic finisher. The sophomore placed fourth with her time of 22:10.9.

Laurel McMahon followed just behind her teammate, placing fifth. McMahon raced a time of 22:19.2. 

Senior Alexa Grassi logged a personal best, 22:42.2, with her ninth place finish. 

Erin Roche rounded out the championship crew, placing 18th. The sophomore ran a personal best of 23:33.1. 

Blume, Sobkowicz, McMahon all earned First Team All-Conference honors. Grassi logged Second Team honors and Roche earned an Honorable Mention. 

This championship is Head Coach JT Klopcic's first at the helm of the program and Steve Rahn's third. 

Up next, the Cardinals will compete in the NCAA South Region Championships in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday, November 14th.