HILLSDALE, Mich. – The Western Michigan cross country team finished in fourth place at the Michigan Intercollegiates as WMU marched out 10 total competitors, nine of which were freshmen.

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WMU finished first among division one teams, as six total teams were in attendance at Hayden Park in Hillsdale, Mich.

"Today was a great opportunity for the runners who are not racing next week to compete," associate head coach Taryn Sheehan said.  "The course was challenging, but the ladies did a great job of competing and continuing to progress forward. Freshmen Holly Blowers paced the way for the team and did a great job of sticking her nose in the front of the race after not racing last week due to a sprained ankle. This was a very young squad and we are really excited for the future."

As Sheehan stated, Blowers led the way for the Broncos with an eighth place finish and a time of 19:48.8. Four other freshmen finished out WMU's top-five in Brittney Hall (19^th), Abigail Shaver (23th), Katie Menke (27^th) and Sydney Del Valle (29^th). Other finishers for the Brown & Gold were freshman Mattie Goodwin (34^th), freshman Autumn Lewis (35^th), sophomore Emily Davis (37^th) and freshman Yadira Rodriguez (41^st).

Next weekend, WMU will compete in one of the largest races of the season in the Pre-National Invitational down in Terre Haute, Ind., the same course that the NCAA Championships are held.