TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A season opener for most of the pack, the Flagler College women's cross country team placed fifth out of 16 at the Florida State University XC Invitational, hosted at the Apalachee Regional park, this morning. The Saints were led by a core of underclassmen including Izzy Harter, Hanna Warren and Rhiannon Hill.

SAINTS FINISHERS
25. Izzy Harter - 23:17.9
26. Hanna Warren - 23:19.2
32. Rhiannon Hill - 23:33.1
34. Jessie Gates  - 23:35.1
35. Morgan Bitting - 23:35.5
36. Marie Meyer-Piton - 23:37.1
38. Mallory Robinson - 23:38.9
41. Caroline Kunik - 23:46.6
47. Aubrey Sudol - 23:59.5
50. Jenna Bailey - 24:13.1
57. Belicia O'Grady - 24:26.7
62. Ella Loest - 24:44.4
69. Vivian Brezler - 25:01.2
78. Alison Gaston - 25:10.6

TURNING POINT
Returning to Apalachee Regional Park for the second race in a row, the Saints faced a pool of competitors predominately competing in the Division I. Jacksonville State University, Florida State, Florida Atlantic University and Troy University were some notable competitors. Across Division II, Flagler was one of four along with University of Tampa and Valdosta State University. Heavy rainfall earlier that morning and previous night set up less than desirable course conditions for the race. Despite the wall, the Saints managed 149 points to place fifth overall. Behind them were schools such as Florida A&M University, Troy and University of North Alabama. 

Individually, true freshman Izzy Harter and sophomores Hanna Warren and Rhiannon Hill led the first pack of Saints. Harter was the lone to crack the top-25, followed by Warren (26), respectability.

"We have some positives we can take from today, as well as areas we can learn from and apply to our races moving forward," Head Coach Brian Beil said. "As a team we did a very good job of staying together early, which was a point of emphasis. Although, we'll need to be more aggressive in the early portion, but that's an easy adjustment to make".

KEY STATS & NOTES

• In her collegiate debut, Izzy Harter finished as the fastest Saint.
• Of the seven point scorers, six were underclassmen.
• Nine Saints used the FSU XC Invitational as their season opener.
• Caroline Kunik set a new personal record by a minute and 25 seconds.
• Mallory Robinson set a new personal record by nearly two minutes.
• Rhiannon Hil set a new personal record by 26 seconds.
• Harter and Warren finished in the top 10 of Division II runners (8, 9).
• Fifth is the highest placement Flagler has finished since attending the FSU XC Invitational.

UP NEXT
Flagler will head to Lakeland, Florida for the Ed Holloway Classic on Oct. 16 at the Holloway Park.

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