VALPARAISO, Ind. – In her first cross country meet since the fall of 2015, senior Maria McDaniel led the way for the Western Michigan cross country team at the Crusader Open on Friday evening as the captain finished eighth overall.

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As a team the Broncos finished third in the Women's 5K with a score of 135 behind Notre Dame, who won the open with a 38 team score, and Purdue (78). Host Valparaiso rounded out the competitors for the night with a 153 team score.

"Today was a really good chance for our young runners to line up against two really good teams from the ACC and Big Ten," commented WMU associate head coach Taryn Sheehan. "The freshmen definitely got a taste of what it means to race at the highest level of collegiate athletics."

McDaniel took eighth overall with a time of 18:00.4 while freshman Chloe McEachern finished 24th on a 19:52.4 time in her first race with the Brown & Gold. Sophomores Courtney Allen (20:45.4) and Olivia VandePol (20:47.4) finished 28th and 30th, respectively while freshman Kailyn Mince finished fourth for WMU with a time of 20:47.2.

"Maria had a solid opener after a two-year hiatus of cross country running," added Sheehan. "She's had some great workouts and showed real toughness on tired legs. Chloe showed real promise moving up in distance races all summer. We had a nice pack that followed her, and each week we will strive to keep closing the gap."

Other finishers for the Broncos include senior Kayla Dominguez (21:03.9), sophomore Alexis Jenkins (21:30.4), and Lila Rode (22:42.5).

Western Michigan is back in action for its annual George Dales Invitational on Friday, Sept. 7 at the Pine View Golf Club in Three Rivers, Mich. as the Broncos welcome reigning Mid-American Conference Champion Eastern Michigan.