Team Results (.html) I Individual Results (.html)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The IUPUI women's cross country team continued to build on its historic start to the 2013 season, placing four runners among the top five finishers at Saturday's (Sept. 7) IPFW Invitational to easily win the team title by 16 points. IUPUI closed with 23 points while host IPFW was second with 39. Ball State was a distant third with 65 and St. Francis (Ind.) was fourth with 120. 

"We had pretty much control of the outcome of the race from 2K on," IUPUI Head Coach Antonio McDaniel said. "All in all, we looked pretty controlled and had it won pretty early. 

"We had a lot of people move up and move closer together, which was good to see. A lot of them didn't know we won (the meet) right away."

Fifth-year senior Rachel Zajac claimed her second individual win to start the season, finishing the 6K race in a time of 22:26.33. Her time was the second-quickest 6K of her college career and ninth-fastest in school history. 

"Rachel just kind of sat back and let the leaders do what they wanted to do," McDaniel said. "We wanted her to work on some different race strategies today and she did a good job of that. 

"She made her move when she was ready to make her move and then just ran away with it."

Sophomore Leah Brooks took second in a time of 22:44.46 and junior Jordan Hanaway was fourth at 22:57.16, despite battling illness this week. Sophomore Julie Riggins was fifth at 22:57.16 and UW-Oshkosh-transfer Allie DeBaker closed the scoring five with an 11th place finish. DeBaker crossed at 23:47.30, giving the Jaguars their first meet win since 2000. 

Just behind DeBaker, freshman Savannah Turner came in 14th at 23:58.21 and redshirt freshman Sydney Chapman was 15th at 23:58.55. 

"Allie had a really good day," McDaniel said. "She looked really strong today."

The Jaguars got an early look at the same course that will host the 2013 Summit League Championships in early November. McDaniel liked the fact his team earned a triumphant outcome on that course this weekend. 

"The course was a great course," McDaniel said. "It was kind of a 2K loop with a little stretch of gravel in there. It was good for them to run it and be familiar with it. 

"Having a positive feeling at the course can only help us later in the season."

The Jaguars will return to action on Friday, Sept. 20 when IUPUI participates in the Indiana Intercollegiates at the IU Varsity Course in Bloomington, Ind..

Team Results
1. IUPUI - 23
2. IPFW - 39
3. Ball State - 65
4. St. Francis (Ind.) - 120

Individual Results
1. Rachel Zajac - 22:26.33
2. Leah Brooks - 22:44.46
4. Jordan Hanaway - 22:57.16
5. Julie Riggins - 23:04.59
11. Allie DeBaker - 23:47.30
14. Savannah Turner - 23:58.21
15. Sydney Chapman - 23:58.55
18. Ashley Mosley - 24:10.02
22. Jennifer Emery - 24:24.65
25. Mandy Campbell - 24:36.28
28. Elaine Yahne - 24:47.40
29. Lexi Hunt - 25:00.82
31. Valeria Guzman - 25:16.99
32. Katie Williams - 25:50.75
33. Chrissy Leslie - 26:14.84
34. Emily Vetor - 26:25.51
36. Riley Mineart - 26:49.92