Not only was the Southeastern University women’s cross country team tops among NAIA competition at the University of Florida’s Mountain Dew Invitational, they also surprised a number of NCAA Division I squads.
The Fire placed fifth overall, with the host Gators taking the top spot with ease. NCAA Division I squads North Florida and Troy along with Division II Tampa were the only teams to score better than SEU.
SEU’s average 5K team time of 19:23.09 helped the Fire edge out Florida Atlantic for the fifth spot.
Sophomore Julia Rohm was the top NAIA finisher in the field in a time of 18:49.7, good for 16th place overall. Freshman Emma Woltjer placed 31st overall in 19:10, and was followed by Makenzie Johnson in 40th with a time of 19:25.
Macy Peterson placed 57th overall with a time of 19:44 and freshman Madeline Scherer was 60th in 19:45.
SEU also had Kelsi Ogilvie break 20 minutes with a 19:59.53 in 81st and Liliana Baker just missed breaking 20 with a 20:01.8 in 88th.
The Fire will next race in Lakeland on September 27th at the FL Runners Invitational at Holloway Park.