Senior Claudia Monnett opened the season with a first place finish and a time of 11:30, while the Tigers scored four of the top seven finishes in the Illinois Titan Opener.
Head Coach Kori Stoffregen was happy with how the team stuck together each during the race.
“We ran well because both men’s and women’s teams ran in packs and really supported each other. The packs really helped our freshmen who are contributing well already,” said Stoffregen.
Three first-years finished in the top ten of this meet. Natalie Gruszka finished third with a time of 12:08.8, while Haley Thompson came in fourth with a 12:10.4. Megan Davis was seventh posting a time of 12:22.4.
“The team this year is stronger because we have so many new freshmen that are quick and committed to the team,” said sophomore Sarah Selzer. Selzer finished 10th in 12:27.0.
Stoffregen says the intensity of practices will be ratcheted up in the coming days.
“We run the full distance in two weeks, so we will be training for the longer race in practice,” said Stoffregen.
Monnett finished 102nd at the NCAA Championships last fall while the Tigers finished third at the NCAC Championship and seventh as a team at the Great Lakes Regional.
The team returns to action on Friday, Sept.18, in Bloomington, Indiana for the Indiana Intercollegiates.