SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Missouri Baptist University Women's Cross Country put up a fierce fight against 15 other teams Friday (Oct. 6) at the Bethel University Invitational. Several Spartans set personal records that propelled the team into fourth place in the final standings.

With a time of 18:46.08, junior Mia Reed showed out once again by taking fourth place overall out of 157 contenders. Sophomore Adrienne Rockette was MBU's second finisher earning 13th place with an excellent time of 19:31.04.

The Spartans had a third runner clock in under 20 minutes. Gracie Kopala celebrated her 23^rd birthday by setting a dazzling PR of 19:59.05 and earning 28^th place overall.

Rounding out the Spartans' top five finishers were Brooke Heberer and Angela Ward. Junior Brooke Heberer emerged as the fourth finisher coming in 44^th place overall at 20:36.00. Ward (47^th) clocked in at 20:39.08 and was joined by fellow freshman Alli Brumfield with a PR (22:23.00).

Lily Harris was another Spartan with a personal best improving her previous PR by a whopping 18 seconds – 22:18.00.

The Spartans will race again on Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. against some top competition at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge hosted by Aquinas College.