FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Results

COLFAX, Wis. (Oct. 2, 2009) -- The North Central College women's cross country squad turned in its fourth straight top ten finish of the season, placing sixth at the UW-Eau Claire Bluegold Open Friday afternoon at the Whitetail Golf Course.

Lauren Hooks led the charge, traversed the 6,000 meter course in 23:15 as six Cardinals finished among the top 50. Alicia Zimmerman clocked a 23:29 to place 27th while Kala Bingham finished 35th in 23:54. Kate Lueders (24:16) and Sarah Ahn (24:20) rounded out the Cardinals' scoring five, placing 43rd and 46th, respectively.

UW-Eau Claire capitalized on its home course advantage to win the team title, scoring 29 points. Minnesota-Duluth's Morgan Place won the race, crossing the finish line in 21:34 and helping the Division II Bulldogs to a second place finish, scoring 60 points. Winona State (Minn.) finished third with a score of 112, while the University of Minnesota was fourth, tallying 125 points. Bethel University (Minn.) rounded out the top five with a team tally of 153. The Cardinals finishing sixth overall among the 19-team field and third among Division III institutions, compiling a team score of 168.

North Central, ranked eighth in the Midwest Region, returns to action next Friday, making the short trip to Lisle, Ill. for the Benedictine University Invitational.