Pitt-Johnstown women’s cross-country team has been competing with a new leader.

Sophomore Rebecca Schorr placed seventh overall with a time of 21:18, and led the team to finish third with 79 points when at the Mercyhurst Invitational in Erie.

Schorr also placed 26th with a time of 21:44, and led the team to place 10th at the Saint Vincent College Invitational in Latrobe.

The team placed tenth with 21 points overall at St. Vincent.

So far this season, team members believe they have been successful, both individually and as a whole team, according to senior Allie Pagano.

Head coach Shane Valko has been pushing the women to do their best during races by pushing them through practices and giving them workouts.

“Coach Valko has been pushing us more than ever, so everyone is improving tremendously,” said Pagano.

“I did a lot of distance runs as well as speed, core, and strengthening workouts over the summer.”

Pagano achieved her fastest time ever at the Pitt-Greensburg Invitational with a time of 19:43.

Pagano also placed 41st overall with a time of 22:22 at the Saint Vincent Invitational.

Senior Elena Mingora said the team has become a lot stronger than they were last year.

“We are improving significantly, and I know I have been improving greatly myself.”

According to Mingora, Valko puts the women through intense practices by having them run a lot of speed and distances to build up their endurance, and also to keep them quick for when they need the extra kick toward the race’s end.

According to Mingora and Pagano, the team has been working hard to be ready to compete at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship this year.

According to Mingora, the conference championships are pretty tough, so they are going to keep working hard and push themselves to do their best.

The team is going to increase their speed workouts that Valko gives them while they will be incorporating hills as well, according to Pagano.

Mingora said that they will succeed this season if they keep up with their positive attitude and just have the team stay as close as they are, like a family.

“I am so fortunate to be part of such a strong team by my senior year,” said Mingora.

“We win as a team and lose as a team, no matter what.”

The Lady Cats will next race Nov. 8 at the conference championships in Mansfield, Pa.