FORT WAYNE, Ind. - IU Indianapolis junior Julie Smith made an emphatic return to the women's cross country lineup on Saturday (Sept. 20), clocking the sixth-best 6,000m time in program history as the Jaguars competed at the Rumble in the Fort. The meet provided teams with a preview of this fall's Horizon League Championships as the league championships will be held at the same site in six weeks. 

The Jaguars put up a fifth-place finish with 120 points, just behind Milwaukee (101) and host Purdue Fort Wayne (104). Trine won the team title with 37 points and Butler was second with 43. 

Smith ran near the front the entire race, ultimately shedding three seconds off her previous best 6K time, crossing at 21:38.3. 

"It felt so good to be out there after just under 700 days of not racing cross country due to hip surgery," Smith said. "The goal was to stay relaxed the first 4K and attack the last 2K, which unfolded almost perfectly. I'm not where I want to be yet, but things are falling into place very well. The job's not finished!"

"Julie had a standout performance for us today. This is the type of runner she's been. She's had to work herself back to this point and it's great to see her back up where she belongs," head coach Antonio McDaniel said.

Smith was followed by sophomore Ella Colclesser, who spun a time of 22:24.0 and Grace Bragg, who finished at 22:40.2. Colclesser took 39 seconds off her prior best while Bragg was one second off a personal record. 

"Ella had a big day and we knew it was coming, based off her hard work and what we've seen in practice. As a team, we just have to do a better job of being smart early in races so we can close them out well," McDaniel said. "I'm confident this group will do it and they're clearly much improved from last year."

Seniors Carina Alanis and Hannah Robbins finalized the scoring five at 23:05.3 and 23:10.1, respectively, placing 35th and 36th. Just behind them, Wini Barnett was 38th at 23:20.9. Freshman Emily Bruns was the team's top rookie finisher at 23:37.3 and Kaylynn Bedel was just behind her at 23:42.0. 

Trine's Sidney Swick earned the individual tape in a time of 21:07.3 and Butler's Hannah Moore was second at 21:19.3. 

IU Indy will next compete at Notre Dame's Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend on Friday, Oct. 3.