Luther College All-American Invitational Results

Decorah, Iowa - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's cross country squad opened its 2012 season with a third-place finish at the 41st Annual Luther College All-American Invitational. The Eagles totaled 71 team points while Carleton College (Minn.) took the team title with 53 points. Luther College (Iowa) was second with 70 points. A total of 11 teams competed.

Corissa Conard led UW-L with a seventh-place finish (19:13.1) on the 5,000-meter course while Natalie Powell was 11th (19:23.7) and Rachel Schroeder finished 13th (19:27.2).

The Eagles' Abbey Singleton placed 17th (19:35.2) overall while Laura Mead was 23rd (19:47.0), Emily Anderson finished 24th (19:48.1) and Rebecca Zych was 25th (19:51.0).

Other runners placing in the top-50 included Ellen Smith 37th (20:08.6), Alyssa Luker 38th (20:08.9), Megan Stats-Wagner 40th (20:10.0), Kristin Lillie 43rd (20:13.5), Alyssa Shurbert-Hetzel 46th (20:18.9) and Lisa Rydeen 50th (20:22.0).

A total of 169 runners competed.

"We didn't win today because we weren't at the front of the race, but considering our race strategy was to hold back early we compromised race position," said UW-L first-year head coach Derek Stanley.  "I'm okay with that because we matched last year's performance and accomplished it with a smart race effort.
 
"Our potential this year is exciting.  The women are beginning to sense what they can accomplish this year."

UW-L returns to action Saturday, September 15 at the Iowa State University Invitational.