With beautiful running weather, fifty-eight athletes from nine schools competed in the women’s Border War XC Championships on the hilly race course at Principia College on Friday, October 7. The Blackburn College women’s team raced six athletes and finished in eighth place in the overall team standings. Missouri S&T narrowly edged out Central Missouri for the team championship.

Team captain, Olivia Leemon, was the top finisher for Blackburn for the third consecutive race, finishing the 5k course in 25:51. Liz Morris continued to establish herself as Blackburn’s #2 runner with a time of 29:15. Sarah Olson was the third finisher for Blackburn for the first time this season with a season-best 5k time, followed by Nicky Valverde who bravely battled through shin splints as the fourth team finisher. Michaela Moulton was the final scorer for Blackburn with a season-best 5k time of her own, and Brianna Bruemmer was the final Blackburn runner across the finish line in her very first collegiate cross country race.

Coach Al Sturgeon said, “I love to see how our women’s team competes and grows at each race. Today’s course was hilly, and the grass was thick and slow. I’m looking forward to a fast course next Friday to see how our team can do in that environment.”

The team is scheduled to race in Hillsboro next Friday, October 14, in the Greenville Classic.