SHELBYVILLE, IND.  --  The Trine University women's cross country team finished second at the Manchester University Invitational at the Blue River CC Course in Shelbyville, Ind.

Sophomore Evonne Bultemeyer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) led the Thunder with a time of 24:33.7 on the 6K course and placed third overall.  Senior Lacie Piekarski (Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake) followed just behind Bultemeyer in fourth place after running a time fof 24:49.0.

"The women's team ran well in very tough conditions," said Head Coach Zach Raber.  "Evie looked smooth throughout the race to take third and Lacie Piekarski was absolutely outstanding to move up to fourth overall." 

Freshman Chloe Brittain (Wheeler, Mich./Breckenridge) was the third Trine runner to cross the finish line and placed in the top-20 in 15th place after running a time of 25:55.1.  Sophomore Elizabeth Lohman (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) posted the fourth fastest time at 26:41.7 and placed two spots outside the top-20 in 22nd place.

Sophomore Stacy Dibley (Bristol, Ind./Elkhart Central) turned in a mark of 27:21.7 and was followed by fellow sophomore Ruth Luebcke (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) who ran a time of 27:28.2.

The final two competitors for Trine were sophomore Miranda Coombs (Lexington, Mich./Croswell-Lexington) and freshman Madi Howard (Stockbridge, Mich./Stockbridge) who completed the course in times of 29:47.4 and 30:10.3, respectively.

"It was also great to see Chloe Brittain finish in the top-20 for her first 6k," added Raber.  "We have a lot of work to do, but I'm pleased with our effort so far."

Trine will next compete in the Midwest Intercollegiate Championships on Friday, Sept. 28 in Bourbonnais, Ill.  Olivet Nazarene University will serve as host of the event which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. EST.