Two in Top 20 as WPU Places in Middle of Pack in Season Opener

Cedar Rapids--The Statesmen women's cross country team battled to a respectable finish as it started its campaign at the Corridor Clash Friday.

William Penn placed fifth out of nine teams with 137 points, while host Mount Mercy won the team title with 30 points.

Aisha Ramone of Southeastern CC was the individual champion with a 5K time of 19:48.

Briana Admire (Fr., Galesburg, Ill., Nursing) led the way for the navy and gold in her collegiate debut, taking 15th place out of 71 competitors in a time of 21:36.7.

Fellow freshman Charlotte Hele (Fr., Apple Valley, Calif., Undecided) was also strong, finishing 20th at 21:47, while Michaela Kmiec (Sr., Centerville, Texas., Exercise Science) had a time of 22:03.4 to place 26th.

Roselaure Fuller (Jr., Pella, Iowa, Nursing) was 48th overall in 23:10, while Morgan Taylor (So., Galesburg, Ill., Nursing) finished off the varsity scoring in 61st at 26:47.4.

Ameline Garza (So., Edinburg, Texas, Sociology) led the remaining Statesmen harriers in 62nd with a time of 28:03.1.

"It was great to have a full team of seven toe the line tonight," Head Coach Caleb Drake said.  "The women competed well and pushed themselves in the middle of the race, just as we had talked about.  I think our women felt positive about their efforts this evening and everyone talked of places they can improve.  It was overall a nice opener and I am excited to see our team improve throughout the year."

Next Up: William Penn travels to Bettendorf next Saturday to compete in the St. Ambrose Invitational.  The women's race begins at 11:30 a.m.