Junior Kaitlyn Highduch makes winning return to cross country

After months away from outdoor competition, junior cross country runner Kaitlyn Highduch returned to racing in familiar territory, and immediately found her way to the top of the leaderboard.

Highduch won the individual title at the Lafayette Invitational on Sept. 11, completing the 6K course in 21:33.9 to finish first among 32 competitors. The victory marked her second individual title at Lafayette’s course after she won last year’s Lehigh-Lafayette dual meet.

The Lafayette Invitational was Highduch’s first outdoor race since February, after a stress fracture forced her to miss last spring’s outdoor track season. 

After months of rehabilitation, Highduch entered the race without knowing entirely what she would be capable of.

“When I was injured, I realized how happy running and racing makes me feel,” Highduch said. “I race and run because I love it and it makes me happy, not because of performance goals. I went into the race very excited to do something I had missed so much.”

She said her mindset made the win even more meaningful. Rather than returning with a specific time or place in mind, Highduch said she focused on getting back to something she’d missed.

The Lafayette course also provided an added source of motivation. She said the Lehigh and Lafayette rivalry adds an additional motivator when she runs.

Highduch’s teammates said they’ve seen the same passion for running throughout her time at Lehigh. Junior teammate Elizabeth Ehrhardt said Highduch’s impact on the team extends beyond her performances during races.

“Kaitlyn is the kind of teammate who will be sad with you in your low moments, but also be one of the first to celebrate a win with you,” Ehrhardt said. “Her energy is contagious, and it’s never boring on a run with her.”

Ehrhardt also believes Highduch’s enjoyment of the sport is one of the biggest reasons for her success. She said their team often talks about “finding the fun” while competing, and Highduch embodies this mindset.

For Highduch, returning from injury required physical preparation and patience. 

She said the months away from competition forced her to trust a process that didn’t always move as quickly as she wanted.

She said she had to trust that her body would heal and feel normal again. Highduch said she relied on her years of training and head coach Debbie Utesch’s return program. Highduch said this process also taught her that returning to competition wasn’t something she needed to handle alone. 

She said her teammates played a significant role in helping her develop the mindset necessary to navigate the physical and mental challenges of endurance running.

“Endurance sports like cross country have a specific kind of mental challenge to them,” Highduch said “I can face that challenge better because of the examples that my teammates set.” 

Senior teammate Grace Hughes said she’s watched Highduch bring that same commitment to nearly everything she does.

Hughes said Highduch’s passion allows her to handle the demands that come with being a student-athlete. 

“(Highduch) has always had a strong work ethic in everything she does, whether it’s running, academics or her hobbies,” Hughes said. “ It is very clear she devotes herself to the things she cares about,”

She said she admires Highduch for never doing anything half-heartedly and always putting care into her commitments.

Despite the impressive start to her return, Highduch isn’t placing limits, or expectations, on what the rest of the season might bring.

“I’m not sure what my body is capable of for this season, but if I give it my all alongside my teammates and have fun returning to running, I will be very satisfied,” Highduch said. “Often, I find that when I focus on being relaxed, having fun and being competitive, the more ambitious accomplishments follow.”

The Mountain Hawks head to the Bucknell Open on Oct. 23—making it their last run before the Patriot League Championships.