ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's cross country team opened its 2026 season with a third-place finish among 11 teams at the Fred Pavlich Invitational, hosted by Bard College.

Kaitlyn Fleming led the Engineers across the 6K course, finishing ninth overall with a time of 20:44.3. Theresa O'Connor followed with another top-15 performance, crossing the finish line in 21:14.5 to place 15th.

RPI placed three additional runners inside the top 30. Elise Corbett finished 20th in 21:49.4, while Sara Mikuka took 24th in 22:03.1 and Niamh Heraghty crossed in 22:26.3 to finish 29th and round out the Engineers' scoring five.

Abi Rounds was close behind in 30th place with a time of 22:27.5, while Callista Strattard completed RPI's group of finishers in 37th at 23:21.5.