ROME, Ga. - The Georgia Southwestern women's cross country team finished ninth at the Viking Invitational on Saturday. GSW faced its largest pool of competition this season as 15 teams - 142 runners - participated in the event.

Jessi Young led the Lady Hurricanes for the third-straight race as she shaved one minute and 38 seconds off her personal-best 6k time and finished with a 23:54, good for 15th overall.

Lisa Espino was second across the line for the Lady Hurricanes finishing in 25:59 (54th).

Micah Bucher slashed 22 seconds off of her personal-best 6k time and finished 81st in 27:38.

Nakora Mackey nipped at Bucher's heels for the second-consecutive race and grabbed the fourth slot for GSW on Saturday, crossing the finish line 82nd overall, less than half of a second (0.28) behind her teammate.

Mollie McGowan eclipsed her personal-best 6k mark by 36 seconds with a 27:57. The three-year member of the Lady 'Canes finished 89th.

Linda Esparza (28:18) and Kaitlin Wilkinson (30:28) ran personal-best times, as well, shaving off 1:35 and 2:24 seconds, respectively.

"All the girls ran great," said GSW head coach Brittney Skiles. "The girls had the most competition they have had all season, so it was a great meet to run before the Peach Belt Conference Championships next weekend."

Emory cruised to the team title with runners taking second, third and sixth place. West Georgia finished a distant second in the team standings, 68 points behind Emory.

Unattached participant Jennifer Cook crossed the finish line first with a time of 22:18.

The final race of the Lady Hurricanes regular season comes Saturday in Montevallo, Ala. at the PBC Championships.

Berry College Viking Open
Rome, Ga.
Oct. 13, 2012

GSW Individual Results
15. Jessi Young, 23:54
54. Lisa Espino, 25:59
81. Micah Bucher, 27:38
82. Nakora Mackey, 27:38
89. Mollie McGowan, 27:57
95. Linda Esparza, 28:18
113. Kaitlin Wilkinson, 30:28

Team Results
1. Emory (17 pts)
2. West Georgia (85)
3. Tennessee Tech (111)
4. University of the South (115)
5. Young Harris College (127)
6. SCAD Atlanta (174)
7. Berry College (193)
8. Darton State College (195)
9. GSW (233)
10. Point University (258)
11. Gordon College (339)
12. Oglethorpe (360)
13. Chattahoochee Tech (365)
14. LaGrange College (396)
15. Wesleyan College (446)