The cross country season is underway and the Hillsdale College women's team got off to a solid start on Friday night, led by a pair of freshmen and a sophomore.

The Chargers opened the season with a dual meet against G-MAC foe and nearby rival Findlay, running a 5K on Hillsdale's home course at Hayden Park.

Findlay got the better of Hillsdale in the team race, scoring 24 points to the Chargers' 35, but it was an impressive debut for Hillsdale freshmen Evyn Humphrey and Allison Kuzma. Humphrey, who comes to Hillsdale from the St. Louis suburbs, took first place individually in a time of 18:19.6, more than 15 full seconds ahead of the second-place finisher from Findlay.

Close behind was fellow freshman Allison Kuzma. A recruit from Zeeland, Michigan on the state's west side, Kuzma was the next Chargers runner across the line, taking fifth in 18:54.1. Returning All-G-MAC honoree Savannah Fraley also ran well for the Chargers, finishing sixth in 19:01.4.

Senior Kayla Loescher placed 11th for the Chargers in 19:32.3 and sophomore Anna Stirton took 14th as well in 19:42.4 to round out Hillsdale's scoring runners. Brynn Edison finished 15th for Hillsdale in 19:54.9 and Eleanor Clark took 16th in 19:59.9 as well for the Chargers.

Hillsdale will be in action again next Friday as the Chargers travel to New Boston, MI to compete in the Warrior Challenge, hosted by Wayne State.

Photo by Elaine Kutas