LIVE OAK, Texas – The Pirates found themselves face to face with a challenging situation on Saturday at the University of Incarnate Word Cross Country Invitational and had to adjust quickly and still performed well. Muddy and cool conditions led to an unconventional course change, but the women responded well, finishing in 7th place against tough competition.

Senior Tami Warner led the way for Southwestern with a 21:16 time on the odd 3.2 mile course. Her time was good enough for 11th place overall. First-year Christina Hadly was just two minutes behind to finish in 31st with a time of 23:37.

Junior Ursula James and Laura Wooden were hot on each others’ heels with James edging out Wooden by six seconds with a time of 24:45 for 39th place while Wooden took 40th in a time of 24:51. Junior Lili McEntire (pictured) rounded out the Pirate competition with a 52nd place finish in 26:43.

Southwestern will look to perfect their racing strategy at the Mississippi College Cross Country Invitational in Clinton, Miss. on Saturday, October 17th before taking a week off to prepare for the SCAC Championships at the end of the month.