UMO cross country places fifth at Newberry Invitational

NEWBERRY, S.C. – After featuring three runners in the top 25 overall, the University of Mount Olive women’s cross country team finished fifth in the standings at the Newberry Invitational on Oct. 22.

The Trojans totaled 138 points in the 13-team field, which featured three other schools from Conference Carolinas. Belmont Abbey won the invitational title with 68 points behind four runners in the top 20. Truett-McConnell finished second at the event with 71 points after featuring the individual champion, while Columbia (S.C.) ranked third in the field with 85 points.

Freshman Ciara Sulton paced the team for the fourth time this season and finished in 13th place in a field of 100 runners. She crossed the finish line with a career-best time of 20 minutes, 19.7 seconds while posting an average mile time of 6:32.5 on the five-kilometer course.

Teammate Natalie Baldwin placed just behind in 14th overall after registering a time of career-best mark of 20:22.1. She posted an average mile time of 6:33.3 and recorded her second top 20 finish of the season.

Sophomore Celine Fleurilus also posted her best career time after crossing the line with a time of 20:42.3 in 22nd place. Fellow sophomore Jacqueline Thring registered her best time after posting a time of 22:00.3 to place 47th overall, while teammate Paige Witteborg rounded out the team scorers with a time of 22:50.1 to finish in 61st place. Caroline Allred also competed in the race and placed 68th overall with a time of 23.31.7.

Truett-McConnell senior Savannah Campbell secured the individual title at the Newberry Invitational by over 22 seconds after crossing the finish line with a time of 18:28.3.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics