The Hillsdale College women's cross country team got the 2023 season underway on Friday in Grand Rapids in the Diemer Classic, as a young squad with six new faces got its first taste of collegiate cross country action.
Hillsdale finished runner-up to NCAA DIII nationally ranked Calvin University, the meet host, with several solid performances that should serve as a foundation for the year to come.
Leading the way for the Chargers was returning All-American Liz Wamsley, who seized the lead from the starting gun and ran away from the field for an emphatic victory in the 4K race, finishing in 14:23. Wamsley earned All-American honors in indoor track and field and outdoor track and field as well as cross country in the 2022-23 school year and will be a leader and tone-setter for the Chargers as Hillsdale aims high as a team in 2023 as well.
Hillsdale's next four runners, including three freshmen, all placed in the top 10 to help the Chargers to a solid team score. Freshman Savannah Fraley took sixth in her first collegiate race in 15:21, just ahead of returning junior Vera Thompson, who placed seventh with a time of 15:37. Another freshman, Megan Roberts, also had a strong debut, placing eighth in 15:45, just ahead of freshman teammate Anna Stirton, who took 10th in 15:48.
Also running well for the Chargers was freshman Eleanor Clark, who finished close behind in 12th with a time of 16:00, and junior Brynn Edison, who placed 13th in 16:08.
It's a start the Chargers can build off of, as they look to continue to improve throughout the season and round into form in time to compete for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference title in late October. The Chargers took runner-up to Cedarville last season in the G-MAC. Next up for the Hillsdale women is a trip to metro Detroit for the Warrior Challenge hosted by Wayne State University, with several Midwest Regional rivals in attendance.