TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Georgia Southwestern State University women's cross country team finished 11th of 15 teams in the small school division of the Florida State University Invitational held Friday morning at Apalachee Regional Park. Ashleigh Owens completed the 5K course in 20:19.8 for GSW, the sixth fastest time in program history, to place 30th out of 116 competitors.

The FSU Invitational is the oldest collegiate cross country meet in Florida, dating to its inception in 1972, but this is the ninth season of racing at Apalachee Regional Park which will be the host site for the 2021 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. This is the first time GSW has competed in the event which included a large school division consisting of NCAA Division I teams from Florida State, Jacksonville University, the University of Florida, Florida A&M, the University of South Florida and Jacksonville State University. Runners in both divisions raced against each other at the same time, although results were calculated based on the division a school was placed. 

Katherine McGarr posted a time of 21:46.6 to place 60th and Connie Lewis was 76th overall at 22:55.9.

Savannah Ross (23:28.9), Daria Woods (26:28.4), Hannah Brown (27:08.8) and Erica Day (27:26.1) followed for the Lady Hurricanes.

Finishing with 34 points, the University of Tampa took home the team title in the small school division. The champs had three runners finish in the top four point slots of the individual standings to distance themselves from runner-up Florida Southern College (78).

Lia Hanus from Florida Tech crossed the finish line first overall with a time of 18:25.8 to win the small school division competition.

The Lady Hurricanes return to action Sept. 21 when they return to Fort Benning, Ga., for the Peach Belt Conference Championships.

Florida State University Invitational
Tallahassee, Fla.
Oct. 6, 2017

GSW Individual Results

30. Ashleigh Owens, 20:19.8
60. Katherine McGarr, 21:46.6
76. Connie Lewis, 22:55.9
85. Savannah Ross, 23:28.9
101. Daria Woods, 26:28.4
103. Hannah Brown, 27:08.8
104. Erica Day, 27:26.1

Team Results

1. Tampa (34 pts)
2. Florida Southern (78)
3. Florida Tech (89)
4. West Florida (112)
5. UNC Pembroke (143)
6. Columbus State (156)
7. Auburn Montgomery (199)
8. Loyola-New Orleans (249)
9. Pasco-Hernando State College (257)
10. Webber International (300)
11. Georgia Southwestern (300)
12. Tallahassee Community College (351)
13. Florida State College at Jacksonville (365)
14. Florida College (391)
15. Chipola College (397)