EVANSVILLE, Ind. - All nine entrants for the IU Indianapolis women's cross country team earned new personal bests as the Jaguars had their final regular season tune-up at the Angel Mounds Invitational in Evansville on Friday (Oct. 18). Senior Ellie Cates continued to lead the way for the Jaguars, placing seventh of 124 runners with a personal best time of 21:38.7 for the fifth-best 6K time in program history. In doing so, she shed eight seconds off her previous best effort. 

The team's scoring five was filled out by newcomers as head coach Antonio McDaniel's team continues to battle through injuries this season. Ultimately, the Jaguars placed seventh among the 16-team field with 173 points. 

"It was a great day and weather for our first 6K of the year," Cates said. "I felt good but still have more to work on, like sticking with the pack and cover any moves that are made. After learning that, I'm confident going into conference in two weeks. I'm super proud of how the rest of the Jag pack performed and worked together today!"

Junior Carina Alanis placed 22nd overall and ran a time of 22:41.8, taking nearly a full minute off her previous best. True freshmen filled out the next three spots as Ella Colclesser was 37th at 23:03.3 and Aubrey Nowaskie made her collegiate debut with a time of 23:47.3, placing 60th. Mary Fritch was next in line at 23:47.8 and Ella Tamburrino crossed at 23:49.9. 

Hannah Robbins took more than 30 seconds off her prior best with a time of 24:09.1 and freshman Julianna Crow finished at 24:27.0. Julynne Spidell rounded out the team's entries at 24:30.8, taking nearly three minutes off her prior best time. 

SEMO's Nova Ojutkangas roared to the individual title in a time of 20:31.3, beating her closest competition by 44 seconds. Southern Indiana collected the team title with 52 points, clearing second place Western Kentucky by 47 points. 

The Jaguars will next compete at the Horizon League Championships on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Green Bay, Wisc.