Bearcats host stacked field at 50th Charles Bowles Invitational
SALEM, Ore. — The Willamette University Women's Cross Country team took on some of the top programs in the region and nation on Saturday, October 4, competing on their home course for the milestone 50th Charles Bowles Willamette XC Invitational. The Bearcats hosted a large field of competitors in the Women's 5,000-meter Invite race.
Competing against the elite field, the Bearcats finished the meet in 17th place overall, posting a team score of 490 points. Freshman Mia Koernig led the charge for Willamette, finishing as the team's top runner with an impressive time of 18:49.6, placing 66th overall. She was followed by senior Anna Bikle, who crossed the line in 19:10.0, and fellow freshman Elise Henderson, who posted a time of 19:47.1.
The overall individual winner was Lucy Milliner of Hawai'i, who clocked a stellar time of 16:45.1. The top of the team standings featured dominant performances, with UC Santa Barbara claiming first place with 62 points, followed by Portland in second with 90 points, and Hawai'i rounding out the top three with 94 points.