By Alanna Huggett, UWEC Sports Information
NORTHFIELD, Min. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire women's cross country team raced their first 6k this past Saturday at the St. Olaf Invitational meet. The women scored 29 points at the meet, finishing in first place out of 11 teams. The individual meet champion was Bryony Hawgood from St. Olaf who finished in a time of 22:36.2.
Lexie Tremble (Sr. - Muskego, WI) was the first of the women to cross the finish line. She finished in second place with a time of 22:59.8. Following Tremble was Emma Drangstveit (Jr. - Lakeville, MN/Lakeville North High School) who ran a time of 23:36.6, finishing fourth.
Hannah Lamack (Jr. - Kewaunee, WI) was the third Blugold to finish. Lamack ran a 23:46.8 and finished sixth. Right behind Lamack in seventh place was Lizzy Cisewski (Jr. - Stevens Point, WI/Pacelli High School) with a time of 23:55.9.
Completing the top 5 for the Blugolds was Liz Galloway (Jr. - Mt. Prospect, IL) who placed 10th with a time of 24:14.6. Naomi Long (So. - Medina, MN/Wayzata) and Katie Faris (So. - Chippewa Falls, WI) were runners six and seven for the women's team. Long finished 12th with a time of 24:21.6 and Faris finished 14th with a time of 24:32.7.
Gina Behling (So. - Brookfield, WI/Brookfield East) remarked on the success of the team and her individual race. Behling finished 18th with a time of 24:46.0 and felt individually that she executed her race plan well.
"I wanted to go out really relaxed the first mile but I also felt really good that first mile, and then I saw people ahead of me and I worked up to them, and then we were able to push each other to the finish and finish strong," said Behling.
Behling also said the team raced well.
"Most people I talked to said they had a good race, or it was a good starting point, so I think everyone has a good mindset" said Behling. "And I think we all came away with things that we did well and like things that we want to work on because we have a whole season, and this is just the starting point."
Head Coach Dan Schwamberger said the meet was a successful first collegiate race against other teams.
"The majority of the team did a nice job executing our race plan of running smart early, working with teammates in the middle and finishing strong," Schwamberger said. He's also excited for the Blugold Invite the team will be hosting in 2 weeks.
The women will be back in action at the Blugold Invite on Friday, October 4 at the Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wis.
