EUGENE, Ore. – Even without the services of one of their top runners the Northwest Christian University women's cross country team, ranked no. 17 in the NAIA, had an impressive outing on Saturday taking second place in the Pier Park Invitational, hosted by the University of Portland.

Senior Brittany Petersen (pictured) made the loudest statement, blasting away her own school record with a third-place time of 17:37. Head Coach Heike McNeil said, “Britt ran a smart and strong race. It was a strong field and she hung in at the back of the lead pack and then pushed into third.”

Petersen's former school record of 18:12 was also passed by freshman Ally Manley, who posted the best debut performance in school history at 17:48, good for sixth place. “We knew she could run,” said McNeil, “but we didn't expect her to lead the first half of the race. She hung in well despite starting off too quick and she fought until the very end.”

Another pair of veterans followed and both hit personal records. Sophomore Ashley Kinney took 19th place at 19:30 and was followed closely in 20th by junior Sierra Schorer-Noll at 19:32. Sophomore Heidi Gori, a transfer from UP, rounded out the scoring at 19:55, taking 24th place.

Also running for the Beacons were freshman Allison Duvenez (20:14, 30th) senior Riley Swanson (20:48, 35th) and freshman Anita Fernandez (36th, 21:06).

NCU was without the service of senior Stephanie Hescock for the first week. The two-time NAIA qualifier and reigning Northwest Christian University Female Athlete of the Year is recovering from off-season surgery and is expected to be back next Saturday when the Beacons run in the Cascade Conference Preview in Ashland.