PORTLAND, Ore. – The third-ranked Northwest Christian University women's cross country team took their first misstep of the season on Saturday, getting upset by No. 8 College of Idaho in their first battle of the season. The Beacons took fourth place in the event with the Yotes claiming third.

Simon Fraser University, a Canadian NCAA Division II school won the race with a team score of 61, followed by The University of Portland in second (77).

Head Coach Heike McNeil said, “We had a few issues with runners not feeling well during the race and everything sort of broke down. We would have finished higher if it weren't for that. My goal for our team over the next few weeks will be to develop our fifth-through-ninth runners to see things get tightened up before conference.”

The Beacons were led by Brittany Petersen, posting a 17:47 for the third-fastest time in school history. Freshman Ally Manley was right behind (17:59). The highlight for the Beacons was the effort of senior Stephanie Hescock. Still recovering from off-season surgery, Hescock registered a new personal record, running an 18:07.

McNeil said, “Stephanie continues to get stronger and stronger. It will be nice to see where she ends up by the end of the season.”

In fourth was Emily Svendson-McLean, also setting a new personal record, by 18 seconds. The final scoring spot was filled for the first time by Heidi Gori, running a PR in 19:18.

Sierra Schorer Noll (19:48) and Riley Swanson (19:50) were next, followed closely by Ashley Kinney (19:50). Anita Fernandez closed out the results with a time of 20:57.

The Beacons will not run as a complete team until the Cascade Collegiate Conference championships on November 5th in Ashland. Next week a “B” squad will take to the 6,000 meter course in Corvallis' Avery Park for the Beaver Classic.