SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Lewis University women's cross country team won the small school championship after finishing first place among non NCAA DI schools while placing third overall at the National Catholic Invite on Friday (Sept. 20). The Flyers finished with 72 points.

Leading the way for Lewis was senior Hannah Smrcka (Corry, Penn./Seton Hill) (Cory, Penn.) who finished the 5K race with a time of 17:31.6. Senior Sarah May (Elmhurst, Ill./Grand Valley State) was the next Flyer to cross the finish line after Smrcka recording a time of 17:37.8.

Senior Caroline Pacer-Ryan (Wheaton, IL/West Chicago) (Wheaton, IL/West Chicago) finished next with a time of 17:54.5. Senior Caroline Pacer-Ryan (Wheaton, IL/West Chicago) crossed the finish line next for Lewis after recording a time of 17:54.5.

Two runners were right behind Pacer-Ryan, one was junior Josephine Bober (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) with a time of 18:01.5. Along with Bober was senior Abbey Kozak (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) who also had a time of 18:01.5.

Kate Guderjan (Frankfort, Ill./Lincolnway East) (Frankfort, IL/Lincolnway East) finished next for the Flyers after the junior crossed the finish line with a time of 18:16.6. Shortly after was senior Anna Kozak (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) who crossed the finish line at 18:23.4. 

Naylah Allen (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) was the 8th Lewis runner to cross the finish line after finishing the race at 18:27.6. Sophomore Mary Edwards (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) placed soon after with a time of 18:38.2 while freshman Janellisa Oceguera (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West) wrapped up the top 10 finishers for Lewis with a final time of 19:27.7.

Fellow freshman Julie Macias (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) ended with a time of 19:31.9. Senior Chloe Wannamaker (Overland Park, Kan./Shawnee Mission South) crossed the finish line soon after with a time of 19:46.0, not far behind Wannamaker was senior Lilia Alvarez (Omaha, Neb./Omaha South Magnet) who's final time was 19:48.4.

Next to finish the 5K for the Flyers was junior Carly Shipman (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) with a time of 19:58.9. Sophomore Katie Melzer (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) ended with a time of 20:21.3 while 3 other Lewis runners rounded out the team scoring behind her. Freshman Kristina Findley's (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) final time was 20:24.7 with other freshman Madison Findley (LaGrange, Ill./Lyons Township) finishing with a 20:26.9 mark. Senior Kristen Ess (Aviston, Ill./Breese Central) finished with a 21:10.0 time.

LEWIS RESULTS (5K)
(1st Small School, 13th Overall) Hannah Smrcka (Corry, Penn./Seton Hill) - 17:31.6
(2nd Small School, 15th Overall) Sarah May (Elmhurst, Ill./Grand Valley State) - 17:37.8
(3rd Small School, 20th Overall) Caroline Pacer-Ryan (Wheaton, IL/West Chicago) - 17:54.5
(4th Small School, 23rd Overall) Josephine Bober (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) - 18:01.5
(5th Small School, 24th Overall) Abbey Kozak (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) - 18:01.5
(6th Small School, 28th Overall) Kate Guderjan (Frankfort, Ill./Lincolnway East) - 18:16.6
(7th Small School, 29th Overall) Anna Kozak (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) - 18:23.4
(8th Small School, 32nd Overall) Naylah Allen (Oswego, Ill./Oswego East) - 18:27.6
(10th Small School, 36th Overall) Mary Edwards (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) - 18:38.2

UP NEXT
The Flyers will compete next at the Seminole Valley Stampede Saturday (Oct. 5) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.