CHESTERFIELD, Va. – The NC Wesleyan College Women's Cross Country Team returned to the course on Friday in the Div. II Virginia State Invitational as the only D-3 team competing.

The women placed 4^th out of 6 with 97 pts. while VA State won the women's meet.

The women had 3 ladies finish in the top 20.

"The heat was tough and the course was challenging, but the teams pressed on and performed great against some new competition," said head coach Marshall Leonard. "The other coaches and teams were very nice and showed superior sportsmanship and it will be a race that NC Wesleyan will return to in the future."

Leading the Lady Bishops was freshman Olivia Pittman in 16^th in 25:12 while senior Sarah Grossman was 17^th in 25:20. Freshman Karlee Bjurstrom was then next in 20^th in 25:46 while freshman Alyssa Donaldson was 21^st in 25:56. Finishing off the scoring was sophomore Alexandra Cucinotta in 23^rd in 26:38.

Individually, sophomore Samantha Valeros finished 29^th in 29:16 with fellow sophomore Maria Gaspar in 33^rd in 30:41and freshman Michelle Sackney-Asnah in 35^th in 33:23. Freshman Sydney Huffman then placed 37^th in 35:17 while sophomore Deja Hartman was 41^st in 41:45.

"On the women's side we had an excellent performance from Olivia and Sarah, with Olivia moving up to the 3rd spot on the All Time top 10 list in the 5K race. She is 3rd behind her teammate Sarah Grossman who is 2nd on that list," said Leonard.

The teams are next in action on Sept. 29 at the Greensboro College Invitational.