FORT BENNING, Ga. - Senior Ashleigh Owens set a new Georgia Southwestern State University cross country 5K record Saturday at the 14th Annual Cougar Invitational, leading the Lady Hurricanes to a sixth place finish out of 12 teams.

Owens shattered the previous GSW record by 14.24 seconds, finishing the course in a time of 19:27.42 to place 12th overall.

Junior teammate Katherine McGarr posted a time of 20:56.59 to place 27th and sophomore Connie Lewis was the third Lady Hurricane to cross the finish line 45th overall at 22:22.54. Both times were season bests for McGarr and Lewis.  

Savannah Ross (22:50.4), Hannah Brown (26:23.48) and Erica Day (27:21.74) followed for the Lady Hurricanes.

North Georgia took home the team title, finishing with 20 points. The champs had seven runners finish in the Top 10 of the individual standings to distance themselves from runner-up Clayton State (78).

Brittany Truitt from North Georgia crossed the finish line first overall with a time of 18:11.75 to win the event.

The Lady Hurricanes return to action Oct. 6 when they travel to Tallahassee, Fla., for the Florida State Cross Country Invitational.

14th Annual Cougar Invitational

Fort Benning, Ga.

Sept. 23, 2017

GSW Individual Results

12. Ashleigh Owens, 19:27.42
27. Katherine McGarr, 20:56.59
45. Connie Lewis, 22:22.54
49. Savannah Ross, 22:50.4
77. Hannah Brown, 26:23.48
84. Erica Day, 27:21.74

Team Results

1. North Georgia (20 pts)
2. Clayton State (78)
3. Columbus St. (79)
4. Albany State (109)
5. Mars Hill (158)
6. GSW (170)
7. Clark Atlanta (204)
8. Tuskegee (207)
9. Georgia Military College (234)
10. Brewton-Parker (248)
11. Central Georgia Tech (303)
12. Fort Valley State (321)