Women's cross country adds another SLIAC championship
Greenville University made it back-to-back SLIAC Women's Cross Country Championships after taking home the 2023 title, tying for the fifth best point total in conference championship history. The Panthers finished with 18 points, winning by 64 points over the next closest team.
LITCHFIELD, Ill. - Greenville University made it back-to-back SLIAC Women's Cross Country Championships after taking home the 2023 title, tying for the fifth best point total in conference championship history. The Panthers finished with 18 points, winning by 64 points over the next closest team.
Gretchen Carie led the way, becoming the first Panther since Aubree Schreder in 2010 to win a SLIAC individual title. Carie is the ninth different Panther and 10th overall to win a conference individual title.
The experienced Carie paced herself at the start with Hannah Owens, from MUW, jumping out to the early lead. Eureka's Karissa Heffernan joined Carie at the lead of the pack midway through the first lap with Carie making her move on the final lap. Carie finished with a time of 23:18, the fastest 6K championship winning time since 2019.
The Panthers won five team titles since last having an individual champion, showing the program's depth. That depth was again on display with six runners finishing in the top eight. Norah Swinigan took second with a time of 23:44. The Panthers had three runners cross in a row beginning with Brook Schutt in fourth place, followed by Sedina Logan and Raven Vance.