With all five scoring runners in the top 15, the Hillsdale College women's cross country team captured second place at the competitive Lucian Rosa Invitational on Saturda in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Freshman Liz Wamsley led the charge for Hillsdale, placing third overall with a time of 22:40 for the 6K distance. Junior Claire McNally also finished in the top 10, crossing the line just 19 seconds behind Wamsley to run 22:59.
Not quite thirty seconds behind McNally, three Chargers flooded the finish line to snatch 13th, 14th, and 15th overall. Freshman Abby Scherer led that pack, running 23:26 and continuing to give Hillsdale strong performances in her first collegiate season. Meg Scheske crossed the line next with a season-opening time of 23:30.5, barely edging out freshman Vera Thompson, who finished in 23:30.6.
In sixth for the Chargers, sophomore Gwynne Riley ran 23:50 to place 21st overall. Freshman Olivia Chapman rounded out the top seven for Hillsdale, placing 38th (25:05).
Hillsdale faced off against seven other foes, including conference rival Trevecca Nazarene. Minnesota State won the meet with 26 points, with Hillsdale scoring 52 to take second. Northern Michigan finished third with 71.
Now with five weeks left until the G-MAC Conference Championship, the Chargers can approach their training with confidence in their ability to compete. In two weeks, they will race again at either the Joe Piane Invitational in Notre Dame, or the LCC Invitational in Lansing. This will be their last chance at competition before they compete for the G-MAC title on October 23rd.
Written by Allison Nimtz '23