SALEM, Ore. – The No. 23-ranked Carleton College women's cross country team traveled to the Pacific Northwest to register inter-regional competition and finished second of 29 teams at the George Oja Invitational. Meanwhile, the Knights also had three racers compete at the St. Ben's-St. John's Autumn Classic.
 
Eastern Washington, a NCAA Division I program, won the team competition in Oregon with a score of 88 points. Carleton was a close second at 91 points, followed by D-II program Western Oregon and No. 21-ranked George Fox University (NCAA D-III). Three other NCAA D-I programs were in the field as well.
 
"This team did an outstanding job of competing, said Carleton head coach Donna Ricks. "We knew there would be strong front runners with several DI, DII programs as well as DIII. Holding our composure off the line and finding our rhythm the first 2k was key. The second 2k was maintaining focus and staying engaged allowing them to position themselves well for the final 2k loop. They put themselves in contention and left everything they had on the course. As a coach you always want your athletes to cross the line knowing they gave their best, and they certainly did.
 
"It was truly impressive watching the woman work together throughout the race all taking responsibility at different times which resulted in just a 43 second spread from 1-5."
 
All seven runners for the Knights at the meet are in either their rookie or sophomore season. First-year Abigail Burns placed eighth overall with a time of 21:29.5. Sophomores and Oregon natives Lauren Tittel (21:35.3) and Amelia Campbell (21:35.7) finished 16th and 17th, respectively.
 
Sophomore Nina Peterson (21:56.1) crossed the line in 27th place, and twin sister Nicole Peterson (22:15.1) was 42nd to round out the scoring.
 
Two other Oregonians were able to race in their home state as well. First-year Jane Coffey-Read (23:03.3) finished 94th out of 331 runners to compete, while classmate Liv Fraser (24:02.1) placed 140th.
 
Back in Minnesota, Sierra Cherniavsky led a trio of Knight sophomores competing at the St. Ben's-St. John's Autumn Classic. She finished 44th in the 142-runner field with a time of 24:38.3. Clara Peikert (25:07.3) and Anna Blaich (25:31.3) placed 57th and 68th overall.
 
"The woman at St. Ben's set the standard for the women racing in Oregon, as they all achieved personal bests," noted Ricks. "So proud of their efforts."
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton heads to the MIAC Championships, which will be contested at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. This year's conference meet will be held at St. Olaf College.