FORT WAYNE, Ind. - On Saturday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan to compete in the 2022 Great Lakes Challenge at Aquinas College, and led by junior All-American Alex Ebetino, the Cougars earned a fourth place finish out of 25 competing teams.

Ebetino's performance ignited the Cougars during the event. She finished fifth out of 200 runners with a time of 17:40.10 just three seconds behind the fourth-place finisher from St. Mary. 

Alongside Ebetino was junior Kristina Baum who placed 72nd with a time of 19:23.60. Freshman Ella Dubbs had a good race with a time of 20:00.3, senior Kelsey Peck raced a time of 20:11.40, freshman Danielle Lesser finished at 20:40.50, and junior Yami Diaz finished with a time of 21:15.90.

"Our women's program really took a step in the right direction, and it's happening at the right time of the year," Head Coach Brendon Moody said. "Today was a great confidence builder for these young ladies and they were able to see the fruits of their labor start to pay off."

The Cougars will now set their eyes on the Crossroads League Championship taking place on Friday, November 4 at the Blue Rivers Cross Country Course. 

Cougar fans, stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting Saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.