Channahon, Ill. – The NAIA No. 10-ranked University of St. Francis women's cross country team began its season on Friday evening, putting together a second-place finish at the team's Fighting Saints Twilight Invite. USF's' score of 43 was only bested by University of Chicago (21) among the ten teams competing.

Graduate senior Allison Ramsey and freshman Evita Martinez paced St. Francis throughout the meet and finished back-to-back in the 3rd and 4th positions, respectively. Ramsey posted a personal record of 18:21.2, while Martinez finished at 18:22.2 in her first collegiate race. Ramsey eclipsed her previous best mark by 33.6 seconds.

The rest of USF's top five were bunched together, finishing in the Nos. 11 through 13 positions. Leading that group was Liliana Ordonez at 19:39.5.  She was followed right behind by Dyannara Franco at 19:40.9. Freshman Aaralyn Martinez crossed the finish line at 19:44.4. Ordonez and Franco both set PR's, as well.

Tiffany Lehmann was the top alumni performer for USF with her time of 21:07.8, ranking 31st overall.

The top individual performer was University of Chicago's Nora Holmes at 18:18.2.

The Saints run next on Friday, September 20 at the University of Notre Dame (Ind.) National Catholic Invite, with competition set to commence at 2:30 pm.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.