LEHIGH, Pa. – The Stony Brook University women's cross country team returned to action on Friday morning as it competed in the Paul Short Run presented by ASICS. The Seawolves registered a 24^th-place finish out of a field of 46, and collected the second-best finish of any CAA program that competed in the event at the Lehigh University Goodman Campus Cross Country Course.
 
For the third-straight time this season, junior Fiona McLoughlin collected the best finish on the squad, this time finishing in 60^th-place out of 417 runners in the Women's Gold 6K. McLoughlin climbed 78 spots after her first mile to cross the finish line at 20:03.3 and collect the team-best finish.
 
Graduate Samantha Rutt pushed the pace for the Seawolves in the Open Women's 6K, as the hometown native finished first on the team and 25^th-overall. Also, freshman Amelie Guzman collected a 71^st-place finish out of 307 runners in her first collegiate 6K race.

Overall, the squad placed 27^th with 724 points out of 46 teams and the University of North Carolina took home the first-place victory with 63 total-points.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore Grace Weigele had the second-best finish on the squad in the Women's Gold 6K, crossing the finish line at 20:40.8 for 79^th-place overall.
• Nicole Garcia was the next Seawolf to complete the Women's Gold 6K as she came in 133^rd place at 21:09.0.
• The fastest time for the Seawolves in the Open Women's 6K came from Rutt, as the freshman ran a 22:09.8. Shortly after Rutt crossed the finish line, Guzman came in at 23:02.9 for 71^st-place.

QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"I feel we got a little overwhelmed with the competition, so we did not compete as well as we are capable of doing. Like the men's team, the ladies have work to do, but I am optimistic we can get to where we want to be by the end of season," said head coach Andy Ronan.
 
NEXT UP
The Stony Brook cross country team is back in action when it competes in the IC4A/ECAC Championships at Van Cortlandt Park, N.Y., on Friday, October 14. McLoughlin and the Seawolves are looking to continue their success at the Championship, as the squad finished in third-place overall last season.

For an inside look at the Seawolves women's cross country program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.