Emmitsburg, Md. – The UMBC women's cross country team opened their 2016 campaign against a tough field at the Mount St. Mary's Dual 5k's. UMBC, Maryland, George Washington, American Navy, Mount St. Mary's and Franklin Pierce entered a total of 109 competitors in the 3.11-mile race.
UMBC senior Sophia Cologer (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) picked up where she left off last season, as she challenged the top two runners and finished third overall in a time of 18:16.9.
Junior Olivia Richter (Oxford, Conn.) cut over 70 seconds off her time on the same course last year, and placed eighth overall in a time of 18:50.3.
Senior Chelsea Vane (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) placed third for the Retrievers (19th overall) with a time of 19:15.2. Sophomore Kelsey Ponton (Laurel, Md./Reservoir) was UMBC's fourth finisher (25th overall) in 19:31.0, while junior Courtney Mattson (Prince Frederick, Md./Calvert) placed 5th/34th at 19:51.4.
UMBC finished at 3-3 against the other six schools. The Retrievers defeated American (21-38), Mount St. Mary's (18-45), and Franklin Pierce (15-50), but came up short against Maryland (21-38), GW (24-31) and Navy (24-35).
The Retrievers return to action in eight days when they compete at the the Salty Dog Invitational at the U.S. Naval Academy. The meet on Saturday gets underway at noon.
