MARION, IND.  --  The Trine University women's cross country team got the 2020 season underway by competing in the Wildcat Twilight Invitational hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

The Thunder ended the event with a team score of 81 points to place second overall of 18 teams.  Taylor (Ind.) University finished as the team champion with 73 points and host Indiana Wesleyan rounded out the top three at 130 points.

Individually, senior Evie Bultemeyer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) placed fourth overall out of 180 total runners after navigating the 5K course in a time of 18:07.9, setting a school record that was previously held by Rita Weaver (18:35.0).  Finishing in the top-15 was senior Megan Theismann (Ossian, Ind./Norwell) with a time of 18:54.1 to place 13th overall.

Also finishing in the top-20 was senior Elizabeth Lohman (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) who crossed the finish line in 17th place and a time of 19:14.1.

Rounding out the top-five times for Trine was the duo of freshman Carol Haldeman (Syracuse, Ind./Fairfield) and sophomore Amira Faulkner (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook).  Haldeman placed 23rd in her first collegiate race with a time of 19:26.2 and Faulkner placed 24th in a time of 19:32.1.

"Girls ran really well," said Head Coach Zach Raber.  "Times weren't exactly as fast as we thought they'd be but overall a really good team effort.  Our 2-5 runners really did well today.  If we can move up a little closer to Evie then we'll be very tough to beat."

Up next for Trine will be the Midwest Intercollegiate hosted by Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. on Friday, Sept. 25.  The women's race is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. (EST)