BOLIVAR, Mo. - The McKendree University women's cross country team kicked off the 2023 season at Southwest Bearcat Invitational, hosted by GLVC rival Southwest Baptist University.

The harriers took the line with a 5:15p.m. start time, and under the blistering sun competed in a field of 12 teams in their first 5K of the season underway. The field included multiple GLVC teams such as Southwest Baptist, Drury, Missouri S&T, Missouri-Saint Louis, and William Jewel. 

McKendree finished 10th overall scoring 276 points, just behind a fellow GLVC competitor in William Jewel with 262 points.

Junior Reagan Lucas led the way with a time of 22:37, followed by teammates Chloe Gough (23:16), Azia Douglas (23:20), Caroline Peters (24:06), and Colleen Zinke crossed the line in 24:27 to round out the top 5 for the Bearcats. 

The Bearcats are back in action on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Bradley Intercollegiate Meet in Peoria, Ill, and will return to Southwest Baptist for the GLVC conference championship on Oct. 21.