Bethpage, N.Y. - Despite a team finish of seventh overall, the Adelphi University women's cross country team was the top Division II Team in a field of 17 programs as they opened the season at the Panthers XC Invite on Friday. 

Cornell led the field, followed by five additional Division I programs, who were all previewing the course as nearby Hofstra will host the CAA Championship plus the NCAA Northeast Regional later this fall. 

Highlights: 

• Newcomer Kathleen Healy topped the field for the Panthers, racing to a 34th place showing with a time of 23:58.9. She previously spent time at nearby Molloy University and was an All-Region and All-Conference performer last season for the Lions. 
• Christina Sakellis opened the season with a new 6K best time of 24:22.4, shaving off 28 seconds from her time at the 2025 NCAA East Region Championship. 
• Caleigh Hopkins was the next to cross the tape for the Brown and Gold, using a time of 25:06.6 to land inside the top-50 of the 120-person field.
• Joanna Weber and Karen Jackson rounded out the top-five for the Panthers, finishing within three spots of each other, with Weber putting together a new PR in the 6K event. 
• Natalie Niselson, Caroline D'Andrea and Isabella Baloun crossed as 58-60 to challenge the rest of the D2 competition.

Adelphi will have some time before their next race, as they take on the Lock Haven XC Invite on Saturday, Sept. 26.