Berea, KY- The Salem College Cross Country Team traveled to Berea, Kentucky this weekend to compete in the 17th Annual Southeastern Cross Country Classic. Despite the extremely muddy, almost-freezing, and deep-water conditions, the Spirits finished as the top NCAA team and placed 21st out of 27 teams.

With the field consisting of 5 of the top 25 NAIA teams in the nation, Cedarville University took top team honors, and Nicole Degner of Berry College won the overall individual title in a time of 18:13 on the 5000 meter course. Recent rains made the creek rise as the harriers crossed over it twice. The muddy conditions slowed the pace down as the Spirits also received their first true test against cold temperatures.

Salem College finished ahead of NCAA Brevard College and Maryville College and also NAIA Berea College, University of VA/Wise, Union College (KY) and Oakland City University.

Rachel Fichthorn (72nd, 21:27), Lauren Meek (85th, 21:45), Rachel Aderholdt (164th, 25:00), Julie Bigsby (171st, 25:26), Mae Sanders (175th, 25:39), Ariel Barker (176th, 25:49) and Veronica Tremblay (181st, 26:02) all competed for the Spirits.

According to Coach Widner, “The weather conditions we faced today in Kentucky will help us when we compete next weekend in Vermont for the Association of Division III Independent Championships. We look forward to representing Salem College in their first post-season championship race in school history.”