NORTON, Ohio - IU Indianapolis graduate runner Ellie Cates saved her best for last as the Fort Wayne, Ind.-native broke the program's 6K record in her final collegiate meet at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Friday (Nov. 15). Cates broke an eight-year old school record by seven seconds, covering the 6K course in a time of 21:11.6 at the Silver Creek Cross Country Course. 

The Jaguars finished 26th overall in the team standings with Cates placing 85th of 227 total runners. She took 27 seconds off her previous best 6K time and was one of five Jaguars to log a new personal best on Friday. 

"Every single member of this team bounced back from conference to race their hearts out this race," Cates said. "I'm so proud of each and every one of them and wouldn't have wanted to end my college cross country career any other way."

While Cates continued to spearhead an undermanned squad, others continued to step up on Friday as Grace Bragg closed at 22:39.2 and Carina Alanis crossed at 22:41.9. Bragg took nearly a full minute off her previous best as she finished 169th and Alanis was 170th. 

Freshman Mary Fritch had a breakout effort at 23:08.3, taking 39 seconds off her prior best and fellow rookie Ella Colclesser finished at 23:15.2. Hannah Robbins had a new personal best time of 23:27.3 and Ella Tamburrino shed six seconds off her personal record at 23:43.3. 

"I'm really proud of how our group ended the season today," head coach Antonio McDaniel said. "We had multiple athletes run major personal bests in a very competitive field. We're a young team with a bright future ahead. This group has done a great job of creating a great culture. 

"I could not be more proud of Ellie for setting a new school record in the 6K. She's wanted this record so bad and her bouncing back after a disappointing Horizon League race makes this moment more special. She's setting the standard for our team."

Notre Dame earned the team title with 51 points and Wisconsin was second with 97 points. Toledo freshman Mercy Kinyanjui took the individual tape in a time of 19:29.7 and Michigan State rookie Rachel Forsyth was second at 19:31.7. 

The Jaguars will begin the indoor track schedule in early December with some of the distance runners competing early in the indoor slate.