Monks Finish Fifth at Hopkinton Cross Country Festival

HOPKINTON, N.H. – The Saint Joseph's College women's cross country team placed fifth among 14 scoring teams at the Hopkinton Cross Country Festival on Friday afternoon, putting together another strong pack performance at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds.
The Monks totaled 136 points with a five-runner team time of 1:44:44 and an average of 20:57 over the five-kilometer course. Saint Joseph's finished just two points behind fourth-place Emmanuel and placed ahead of Franklin Pierce, Norwich, SNHU, UMass Boston, Wheaton, Lesley, Emerson, NHTI Track Club, and Dean.
Sophomore Amber Pendleton (Warren, Maine) led the Monks with a 16th-place finish in 20:21.5. Freshman Haley Marston (Greene, Maine) continued her strong rookie campaign by finishing 20th in 20:39.9, while junior Haley Williams (Winthrop, Maine) crossed just behind her in 22nd at 20:41.1.

NEED TO KNOW:
Saint Joseph's placed three runners inside the top 22 and four inside the top 34, with the Monks' first four separated by just 38.3 seconds. Senior Cadance Gilbert (Keene, N.H.) joined the lead pack with a 34th-place finish in 20:59.8, while senior Meghan Cyr (Hampden, Maine) completed the scoring five in 62nd at 22:01.1.
The Monks matched their fifth-place team finish from 2025, but improved from 143 to 136 points. More importantly, their five-runner team time dropped from 1:47:14 to 1:44:44, an improvement of exactly 2:30, while the team average improved from 21:26 to 20:57.
Pendleton lowered her time from 20:58.2 last season to 20:21.5, a 36.7-second improvement, while Williams improved from 21:17.7 to 20:41.1, a 36.6-second drop.

FOR THE MONKS:

Amber Pendleton (So., Warren, Maine) – 16th, 20:21.5
Haley Marston (Fr., Greene, Maine) – 20th, 20:39.9
Haley Williams (Jr., Winthrop, Maine) – 22nd, 20:41.1
Cadance Gilbert (Sr., Keene, N.H.) – 34th, 20:59.8
Meghan Cyr (Sr., Hampden, Maine) – 62nd, 22:01.1
Meg Kingsley (Fr., Windham, Maine) – 67th, 22:24.6
Addison Alpers (Fr., Bristol, N.H.) – 100th, 24:36.0
Danica Patry (Fr., Berlin, N.H.) – 108th, 25:20.9

COACH'S CORNER:
"The women did a great job of following the race plan today. They're stepping up, running smart, and having fun together. It's great to see this group continuing to make each other better in practice and competition," said Head Coach Mike Burleson.

UP NEXT!
The Monks return home for the Coach Dann Runnin' Monks Classic on Saturday, October 17. The College's lone home meet of the season is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

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Players Mentioned

Meghan Cyr: 5' 6"; Senior; 2027

Amber Pendleton: 5' 4"; Sophomore; 2029

Haley Williams: 5' 3"; Junior; 2028

Addison Alpers: 5' 9"; Freshman; 2030

Cadance Gilbert: 5' 8"; Senior; 2027

Meg Kingsley: 5' 2"; Freshman; 2030

Haley Marston: 5' 3"; Freshman; 2030

Danica Patry: 5' 6"; Freshman; 2030

Players Mentioned

Meghan Cyr
: 5' 6"; Senior; 2027

Amber Pendleton
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; 2029

Haley Williams
: 5' 3"; Junior; 2028

Addison Alpers
: 5' 9"; Freshman; 2030

Cadance Gilbert
: 5' 8"; Senior; 2027

Meg Kingsley
: 5' 2"; Freshman; 2030

Haley Marston
: 5' 3"; Freshman; 2030

Danica Patry
: 5' 6"; Freshman; 2030