The Online Reflector

The University of Indianapolis women’s cross-country team placed 27th out of 41 at the 38th annual Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational on Oct. 2.

“With bad weather, pelting rain and terrible wind gusts over 40 mph, and a meet with over 400 runners this year, the meet overall went fairly well,”Kathy Casey, the head coach of cross-country said.

The meet at the Lakefront Invitational consisted of 500 women. According to Casey, the team’s goals at the meet were to continue to run in nice packs throughout the course, to continue to run as they do in practice and to meet personal goal times.

Placing 105th with a time of 19:24, sophomore Stephanie Cave, had the top time for the UIndy’s women cross-country team. Fourteen seconds behind Cave was freshman Sutton Knapp, placed 139th with a time of 19:38.

“Our team has outstanding chemistry,” Knapp said. “This meet was very challenging, but with the power and strength our team put forth, we did well for such an enormous meet, and we finished strong.”

Casey also mentioned that the UIndy women kept running the paces at which they intended, despite the large number of runners.

“Momentum was used during the downhill transitions, which made passing the other runners and running quicker more efficient,” Casey said.

According to Casey, there was intense competition at this meet, but the team still prevailed.

“A lot of people stepped up…We had really nice packs. Our women had a strong mentality. They were extremely focused,” Casey said.

On Sept. 17, the women’s cross-country team took first place at the annual Indiana Intercollegiate Cross-Country Championships at Purdue University.

“Our goal for that meet was three to four runners in the top 20. Actually, five women placed in the top 20. We met our team goals,” Casey said.

The UIndy women triumphed over the other non-Division I teams from around Indiana at the Cross-Country Championships.

Sophomore Katherine Wilhelm finished in 10th place on the 5K course with a time of 19:46. Finishing about three minutes after Wilhelm was Knapp, who placed 11th. Cave finished in 15th with a time of 19:59. Katie Boester took 16th place, and rounding out the top 20 for the UIndy cross-country team was freshman Haley Wittig who placed 19th.

“As a team, we will continue to get out well and keep moving through groups,” Casey said. “I have great faith and expectations in the UIndy women’s cross-country team this year, and I know we will finish strong as a team throughout our upcoming meets.”