SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Freshman Maria McDaniel continued the outstanding start to her collegiate career by finishing first overall in a field of 210 runners in the Gold Race at the 59th annual Notre Dame Invitational on Friday afternoon.

McDaniel has paced WMU in every meet this season, finishing with a 5k time of 16:46 flat. McDaniel through the first part of the course when running in the middle of the pack before cruising her way past competitors to get into the lead pack.

“I have no idea how she worked her way back up but she did,” said head coach Kelly Lycan.

With just under 1,000 meters to go, McDaniel made her move towards the front and never looked back as she went on to record her second win on the season. McDaniel's first win came in her first collegiate race at the Crusader Invitational.

“It was a heck of a performance by her at this high profiled meet,” said Lycan. “Maria showed exceptional effort and great racing sense for being a freshman.”

Overall, the Broncos finished 13th, in front of Mid-American conference foe Ball State (21st) and just behind rival Central Michigan (eight). In-state opponent and No. 1 Division II Midwest Regionally ranked Grand Valley State won the invitational.

“We are moving in the right direction,” said Lycan. “We are starting to believe that we should belong in the front of the pack.”
 
Senior Ann Marie Arseneau finished second for WMU and 23rd overall with a time of 17:31.2. Freshman Hanne Christensen came in third for the Broncos and 62nd overall, just under the 18:00 mark at 17:59.5. Sophomores Daya Wagh and Amy Littlefield were just four seconds apart as they rounded out the top five for WMU. Wagh finished with a time of 18:26.1 while Littlefield followed closely behind at 18:31.2.

Other scorers for the Broncos were Becca Peacock with a time of 18:39.2 and Raychel Figurski with a time of 18:41.9.  

The Broncos will receive a week off before heading to the Bradley Classic on Friday, Oct. 17 for their final meet before the MAC Championships on Saturday, Nov. 1.