Dawgs finish fourth at Joe Piane Invitational...

SOUTH BEND, Indiana--While there's a better than even chance that if you asked the members of the University of Washington women's cross country team if they were completely satisfied with their individual race, they would say no, the Huskies can take solace in the fact that their team running tactics will pay dividends later in the season.

The Dawgs finished fourth at the Joe Piane Invitational Friday morning at the Burke Golf Course with a final team score of 189 points, as co-number 1 ranked North Carolina State (38) took the team title with 38 points, followed by number 3 ranked New Mexico (94), and sixth ranked Alabama (147).

Washington was led in the race by All-American Allie Schadler (Paul Merca photo) in 27th in 16:50, followed by Madison Heisterman in 33rd in 16:52, and Naomi Smith in 35th at 16:54.

Anna Gibson was Washington's fourth runner in 16:58, while defending Pac-12 champ Haley Herberg rounded out the Dawgs' scorers in 51st in 17:05.

Julia David-Smith was 86th in 17:22, Taylor Chiotti was 102nd in 17:28, and Camila David-Smith was 116th in 17:35.

Woodinville native and US Olympic Trials steeple qualifier Olivia Markezich of Notre Dame was 74th in 17:19.

Washington's 1-5 race split (gap between its first and fifth runners across the line) was an impressive 15 seconds, while its 1-7 split was 38 seconds.

In terms of the 1-5 splits among the top four teams, North Carolina State finished with 18 seconds, New Mexico was at 30 seconds, and Alabama finished with a split of 79 seconds.

Mercy Chelangat of Alabama, the reigning NCAA cross country champion, took the win in a time of 16:11, with teammate Flomena Asekol second in the same time.

In the women's open race, Princeton grad transfer Sophie Cantine was the first Husky across the line in 11th in 17:34. Following her was Andrea Markezich in 13th in 17:35, while Sophie O'Sullivan was 18th in 17:53. 800 meter specialist Carley Thomas was 68th in 18:57.

Results of the Joe Piane Invitational are available here.

NOTE: The sports information offices of Notre Dame, and the University of Washington contributed to this report.

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