FAIRBORN, Ohio - The IUPUI women's cross country team opened its 2023 season with a strong effort at the Mike Baumer XC Classic on Friday (Sept. 1), placing fourth of eight teams at the host site of this year's #HLXC Championships. Senior Ellie Cates led the way, placing ninth overall with a time of 18:02.4 and sophomore Julie Smith was just off her pace at 18:07.7, taking tenth. 

Senior Madison Fry finished 20th in a time of 18:32.5 and junior Laci Provenzano was 26th at 18:47.0. 

Ohio State cruised to the team win with 23 points while Oakland edged host Dayton on a sixth runner score as both finished with 68 points. IUPUI was fourth with 91 points, well in front of host Wright State. 

"I'm super proud of how our team opened up," Cates said. "We used our tactics of running as a pack in workouts and it transferred well into racing. I'm excited to see how the next few races shape up after this rust buster."

Hannah Sale rounded out the Jaguars' scoring five in 42nd place at 19:29.2 and Wini Barnett crossed at 20:17.0. Hannah Robbins finished at 20:47.8 to round out the team's entries. 

Ohio State's Addie Engel finished at 16:58.1, a full 30 seconds ahead of her closest competition. 

IUPUI will next compete at its own Jaguar Invitational on Friday, Sept. 15 at the Blue River Cross Country Course in Shelbyville, Ind., scheduled for 6:00 p.m.