DAYTON, Ohio - The IU Indianapolis women's cross country team opened the season with a runner-up finish at the Mike Baumer Cross Country Invitational on Friday (Sept. 4) as freshmen accounted for the team's top three finishers. 

Ohio State cruised to the team title with 24 points while the Jaguars were a distant second with 69 points and collected early season wins over Horizon League foes Northern Kentucky, Wright State and Cleveland State. 

"I'm really proud of how our group started the season. The goal was to finish second and they took care of business," head coach Antonio McDaniel said. "Our freshmen did a great job of leading the way. That's both a testament to them and their hard work, along with our returners, who've made them feel welcomed right away."

Freshman Maren Wilson made her collegiate debut by placing seventh of 122 runners in a 5K time of 18:30.1. Classmate Elora Bliss was just behind her at 18:33.6 to finish eighth and Aftin Griffin was 13th overall at 18:49.6. 

Sophomore Riley Flynn, who missed the bulk of cross country season in 2025 due to injury, was 16th at 18:59.0 and senior Grace Bragg rounded out the scoring five at 19:26.7, placing 25th. 

Sophomores Kaylynn Bedel was 42nd at 19:53.1 and Emily Bruns placed 50th with a personal best time of 20:06.5. Sophomore Xavery Weisman ran her first race in uniform with a time of 20:16.6 and Jenna Twedt rounded out the entries with a time of 20:28.3. 

NKU's Grace Biddle won the race in a time of 17:57.4, just ahead of a trio of Ohio State runners. 

The Jaguars will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 19 when they participate in the Rumble in the Fort.