Posted: Sep 20, 2019
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's cross country team placed eleventh overall and was third among NCAA Division III programs at the 51st annual National Catholic Invitational at the University of Notre Dame.
The host Fighting Irish claimed the women's title with a team score of 18. Fellow NCAA Division I members Dayton and Holy Cross rounded out the top three while NCAA Division II member Walsh placed fourth. The Belles were eleventh overall in the field with a team score of 345. Loras (sixth) and St. Norbert (ninth) were the two NCAA Division III programs to finish ahead of Saint Mary's while the Belles edged out fellow DIII member St. Benedict by three points.
Katie Glenn led the pack for Saint Mary's in the championship race as the senior posted a 19:50.27. Glenn finished 46th overall, earned 43 team points, and was less than six seconds off of her PR for a 5k race despite hot racing conditions. Julia O'Grady crossed the finish line in 20:08.94 and was 58th overall and earned 53 points.
Addie Bobosky turned in a 20:23.39 as the third Saint Mary's runner across the finish. She was 64th overall and earned 59 points toward the team total. Bridget Kenney posted a 21:10.61 for 95th overall and 88 points. Julia Bobosky wrapped up the team score with a 22:04.01 while finishing 114th and earning 102 points. Shanan Hamilton, meanwhile, ensured teammate Angela Bannan finished ahead of the senior in a tremendous display of sportsmanship on the course as the team co-captain assisted the freshman across the finish line. Bannan gave her all and placed 115th in a time of 22:04.20 while Hamilton was by her side and finished 116th with a 22:04.46.
Several members of the team competed in the open division women's 5k prior to the start of the championship race. Alexa Zeese was the top runner for the Belles in the first race of the day as the freshman ran a 21:19.00 to finish 19th among the group of 64 harriers. Emily Blank ran a 21:52.03 for 24th, and Brigid Conmy had a strong kick to the finish to pass a runner from DII Walsh for 27th with a 22:16.93.
Maura Honan was just a few strides behind as the senior placed 30th with a 22:23.57. Claudia Stiglitz posted a 22:50.38 and was 36th in the race. Mikayla Trumbla ran a 23:27.22 in the 5k race for 44th. Julia Crowley wrapped up the efforts for Saint Mary's with a 24:15.41 for 52nd.
The Belles are back to competing on Saturday, October 5 when they take part in the Pre-National Race at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky.
