MONTEVALLO, Ala. - Lisa Espino led the Georgia Southwestern women's cross country team to a seventh place finish at the University of Montevallo Falcon Classic on Saturday morning. Espino completed the 6k course in 25:31 to cross the finish line 28th in the 10-team, 95-runner event, setting a personal-best time.

Espino shaved 2:28 off her previous best time of 27:59 set at the 2011 Peach Belt Conference Championships.

Teammate Jessi Young was nipping at Espino's heels on Saturday as she finished in 29th, a second back.

Nakora Mackey grabbed the third slot for the Lady Hurricanes, crossing the finish line 56th overall at 27:53.

Micah Bucher knocked 18 seconds off her best 6k time and placed 58th with a time of 28:00 and Mollie McGowan took 1:09 off with her fastest 6k run with a 28:33.

"The girls ran a very strategic race on Saturday," said GSW head coach Brittney Skiles. "They did exactly what they were supposed to do against a tough field of competitors."

With 41 points, Clayton State edged Columbus State (44) for the team title. 

"The best teams in our conference were there," Skiles said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how we do at the conference meet."

Haley Evans from Montevallo crossed the finish line first with a time of 23:20. Runners from Peach Belt schools grabbed the first 12 slots.

Southwestern makes the short trip to Dawson on Saturday (Sept. 29) for the Darton Invite at 8:30 a.m.

Falcon Classic
Montevallo, Ala.
Sept. 22, 2012

GSW Individual Results
28. Lisa Espino, 25:31
29. Jessi Young, 25:32
56. Nakora Mackey, 27:53
58. Micah Bucher, 28:00
62. Mollie McGowan, 28:33
72. Linda Esparza, 29:53
81. Kaitlin Wilkinson, 32:52

Team Results
1. Clayton State (19 pts)
2. Columbus State (44)
3. Montevallo (75)
4. North Alabama (124)
5. Augusta State (132)
6. North Georgia (140)
7. GSW (189)
8. USC Aiken (190)
9. Stillman College (279)
10. Miles College (309)