(Valdosta, GA.) — The Flagler College women's cross country team took home first place in the Saints' season-opening race at the Valdosta State University Border Clash held at Freedom Park Friday.

The Saints scored 28 points to topple 25th-ranked University of Tampa and secure the first-place trophy. Leading the charge on the 5k course for the Saints was freshman Therese Schuhenn, who in her Flagler debut, took home second place (19:09.9). Schuhenn was joined by four of her teammates in the top 10, with senior Jessie Mescal taking home fifth place (19:19).

One second behind Mescal was sophomore Megan Churchill, coming in sixth place (19:20.6). Seventh place was captured by Monika Kubai (19:22.6) in her first race in Crimson and Gold. Rounding out the top-10 placements for Flagler was fellow newcomer Enola Savel, who took home eighth (19:25.3).

Super senior Malia Cryan finished just outside the top-10, coming in 12th (19:46.1), which was a 20-plus second improvement from her last time at Freedom Park in 2019.

Three other Saints captured top-20 finishes for head coach Brian Beil. Marissa Kempf made her collegiate debut with a 13th place finish (19:52) and Lea Steinbach brought home 17th (20:09.3) in her first Flagler race. Just outside the top-20 for Flagler was junior Madison Peele, who came in 23rd (20:24).

Other runners who made their debut for coach Beil were Maddi Hood (33rd), Olivia Farley (37th), Summer Sayward (38th), Madeline Rodriguez (41st), Savanna DeYoung (49th), Payton Megge (53rd), Emily Manning (55th), and Isabella Santeufemio (56th).

Flagler returns to the course next week, Saturday, Sept., 11, when the Saints travel down state to Gainesville, Florida to compete in the Mountain Dew Invitational.

Team scores in order: Flagler College (28), Tampa (34), Florida Southern (100), Valdosta State (117), Central Georgia Tech (194), Georgia College (212), Albany State (220), Georgia Southwestern (224), Flrodia Gateway College (227), and Thomas Univeristy (231).

Complete results and times from the race can be found here.

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