WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem cross country team will make the short trip up I-40 to compete at the Greensboro XC Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Hagan-Stone Park.

The 36th installment of the event will feature a women's 5k race that is set to begin at 1 p.m. Salem is one of six NCAA Division III programs pre-registered to compete in the event, along with Averett, Emory & Henry, N.C. Wesleyan, Salem (Va.) and the University of Lynchburg.

Hagan-Stone Park is a 409-acre park located in southeast Guilford County, North Carolina. Known for its cross country trails, the park hosts various high school and college meets in the fall of the year.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPIRITS: Salem's senior standout runner Jessica Bailey earned the second Top-5 finish of her collegiate career on Saturday, Sept. 21, when she crossed the line fifth in the 6k USA South Preview that took place on the N.C. Wesleyan campus in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Bailey, who finished the race in a time of 26:46.0, was 1.95 seconds off the pace established by Barton's Isabel Reed (24:51.4), who took home top honors. Bailey, whose best career finish (third) came at the Livingstone XC Invitational on Oct. 18, 2018, was the lone Spirits runner inside the Top-10.

Salem's Karen Romero Mendieta wrapped up her first race of the season in 33rd, crossing the line in a time of 32:46.3. Teammate Lupita Uribe, also participating in her first 2019 race, closed in 40th with a mark of 33:50.9.

Sophomore RoyseAnn Day put together a time of 34:22.5, finishing 45th for the Salem squad. Her teammates Mariana Rubio (36:32.4) and Isabella Verdicchio (37:26.6) followed shortly thereafter, finishing 49th and 51st, respectively.

Salem closed out the meet eighth with 172 points, while Meredith captured first place with three Top-15 finishers and 68 points. Host N.C. Wesleyan was second (81) at the event, while Mary Baldwin (88) wrapped up the meet third.

For more information on Salem cross country, check out www.salemspirits.com.