Amelie Ojeda (Lombard, Ill./Willowbrook) ran a time of 22:17.8 to lead the way for the Northern Illinois University women’s cross country team in the black race at the Gans Creek Classic on Friday morning (Sept. 26)

It marked the third consecutive meet in which Ojeda was the top finisher for NIU as the Huskies competed over six kilometers for the first time this season on the course that will host the NCAA Championships later this fall. NIU finished 25th in the team competition, which was won by Stanford.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s Elizabeth Khatevi won the individual title in a time of 19:58.8.

“Tough day battling the heat for us today,” said NIU head coach Juan Carrillo. “I think our team fitness is better than what the results showed today. We’ve had some solid training the last two weeks to get us better ready for racing. Not the result we were looking for as a team but I’m excited to see the team improve the second half of the season. The next two weeks we’ll focus on specific training to prepare us for the championship season.”

Grace Hanson (Kansas City, Kan./Piper), making her NIU debut, was the second Huskie to cross the line, running a time of 23:28.5. Claire Helmila (Greenville, Wis./Freedom) picked up 14 places in the final kilometer, finishing with a time of 23:57.2.

Varri Higgins (Bethesda, Md./Chevy Chase) picked up places throughout the final four kilometers of the race as she finished with a time of 24:29.1 and Ariel Hernandez (Rock Falls, Ill./Rock Falls) was the final scoring Huskies, clocking in at 24:58.6.

NIU will return to competition on Friday, Oct. 17, when the Huskies travel to Peoria to compete in the Bradley Pink Classic.

Team Standings

1. Stanford, 53
2. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 142
3. Tulsa, 147
4. Texas Tech, 166
5. Navy, 170
6. NIU, 677

NIU Individuals

101. Amelie Ojeda, 22:17.8
102. Grace Hanson, 23:28.5
103. Claire Helmila, 23:57.2
104. Varri Higgins, 24:29.1
105. Ariel Hernandez, 24:58.6
106. Liliana Camargo, 25:00.5
107. Isabella Grieder, 26:12.6