PALATINE, Ill. - Paced by sophomore Nkemdilim Okwumabua of Rockford, Ill., the Ashford University women's cross country team started the fall season on a high note on Saturday, taking home third at the Seventh Annual Harper Hawks Invitational.

A trio of Saints finished in the top 12 in the first meet of the year, including two runners competing in their first collegiate meet.

"I was very happy with our performances today, and it was a good indication of how will be compete this season," said AU Head Coach Tyson Graham. "Shorter races in the early part of the season are always a big question mark, but after today's results, I'm very excited to see what our girls can do on a 5k course next week."

Okwumabua crossed the finish line in 13:51 to take home third overall. Still a relative newcomer competing in cross country, Okwumabua made her final move to get in front of the pack with less than 1,000 meters left in the race.

Right behind Okwumabua was freshman Ann Chezem of Plainfield, Ill., who finished in seventh place with a time of 14:09, and fellow freshman Jessica Windett of Byron, Ill. After spending a majority of the race in the middle of the pack, Windett finished 12th overall with a time of 14:30.

"Nkemi's third place finish couldn't have been possible without Ann and Jessica," added Graham. "They both put together great performances in their first collegiate competition and I'm very happy about how they finished."

Sophomore Ashley Murray of Mason City completed her race nearly two minutes after Windett, crossing the finish line in 16:14 to claim 34th. Freshman Peyton Pachucki of Illinois City, Ill., finished her first collegiate meet in 16:47, placing 37th.

Perhaps the most improved performance at Saturday's meet came from senior Olivia Canales of Farmington, Ill. Having spent most of the race with Murray and Pachucki, Caneles finished in 39th with a time of 17:15.

"Olivia ran an amazing race and this was the best race of her career thus far," Graham said. "It's exciting to see someone who's worked so hard last season do so well in this first meet."

The Saints will be in action next week when they travel to Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill., for the Waubonsee Chief's Invitational beginning at 10:45 a.m.