(New Boston, MI) - The Women' Cross Country team competed at the Warrior Challenge hosted by Wayne State University at Willow Metropark on Friday, September 13.

The women ran their championship distance of 6000 meters for the first time this season. The course was comprised of three – 2000 meter loops with a sizable hill.

The team powered through the hill and some warm temperatures to a 13th place finish. The team was led once again by Macee Ripke (Sophomore; Napoleon, OH) with a time of 27:48. Amanda Fogo (Junior; Fowlerville, MI) ran a two-minute improvement for her personal best time of 28:08. Michaela Kurth (Sophomore; Ypsilanti, MI) finished third on the team with a time of 29:29. Rachael Byers finished fourth for the Cardinals in a time of 29:52. The fifth Cardinal finisher was Alison Doerr (Junior; Grand Haven, MI) finished with a time of 30:12 and fished the team score of 366 points.

Three Cardinals made their collegiate debut in the 6k. As Chloe Gunter (Senior; Monroe, MI), Grace Finley (Sophomore; Monroe, MI) and Jenna Oberly ( Sophomore; Dearborn, MI) finished in times of 30:15, 31:07 and 32:07.

"I thought we had some pretty strong efforts today. I think Amanda Fogo had one of the strongest races of her cross country career and has had a strong start to the season. Rachael Byers and Alison Doerr had strong races and looked like they were trying to attack the course.

For the most part, I thought we did a really good job attacking the hill and not letting us throw us off. I know we are not where we want to be quite yet, but we have a couple of weeks to get it to that point and be ready to run as fast as we can come championships," said Head Coach Dominic Santina on the meet.

The Cardinals will be back in action on Friday, September 27 in Adrian for the Sienna Heights Invitational.