LEBANON, Pa. – The Messiah women's cross country performed well on Saturday, topping all competition in the Dutchmen Cross Country Invite (5K). The Falcons, placing first out of 17 teams, had a total team score of 62, followed by hosts Lebanon Valley College (80) and Ursinus College (111) in second and third place, respectively. Pacing Messiah was Teddi Powell with a team-best finish of 19:18, earning a third-place finish.

Powell, who has now notched consecutive team-best marks in the two opening competitions of the season, improved her 5K time by nearly thirty seconds (19:43) from the Hopkins Kickoff Classic (Sept. 2). Following Powell with an eighth-place finish was Katelyn Bernotas (19:44), competing for the first time this season. Overall, The Falcons placed a total of seven runners in the competition's top-thirty. Earning strong finished behind Powell and Bernotas was Ali Schutte (12th-place, 20:03), Chloe Wester (14th-place, 20:06), Kathleen Walstrom (25th-place, 20:36), Katelyn Prothero (26th-palce, 20:37), and Cassidy Chandler (28th-place, 20:42).

Of Messiah's 21 total runners, many of them made vast improvements on their 5K times from the opening competition of the season. Both Schutte and Walstrom made improvements of over twenty seconds from their season-opening times. Other notable 5K improvements included Amber Fogelsanger (0:52), Sarah Bath (0:52), and Olivia Cory (1:11). Many more Falcons made improvements from their original 5K times. Brieanna Hess competed for the first time this season, turning in a quality of 20:53.

In addition to topping all competition, the Falcons made impressive personal improvements in just their second competition of the season.

What's Up Next
The Falcons compete in the Long-Short Invitational (6K) at Dickinson College on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 11:15 a.m.