Grand Rapids, Michigan - Many of the top cross country programs from around the NAIA made their yearly pilgrimage to Riverside Park on Saturday morning to participate in the annual NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. The event, which is hosted by Aquinas College, remains the biggest stand alone NAIA-only event in any competitive sport (excluding National Championships).  The Saints, who placed 10th overall in the Maroon Race, will now switch their attention to the WHAC Championships in two weeks.

In the Maroon Race, Amber Koole led the way for the Saints by finishing 15th overall in a time of 18:16.  Ella Koons was the next Saint to cross the line in a time of 18:54 (48th place).  The next three scoring positions were turned in by Lauren Wooer (54th place), Carolyn Bennett (96th), and Anna Tubbergen (116th place).  The trio crossed the line in 18:57, 19:24, and 19:37 to round out the scoring for the Saints.

A total of 189 individuals competed for 22 different institutions in the first women's race of the day.

In the White Race, the Saints attack was paced by Claire O'Boyle, who finished in a time of 20:07 to place 46th.  Katrina Amrhein (20:55) and Kyra Beemer (21:00) followed O'Boyle through the finish chute and placed 86th and 92th respectively.  Aquinas' final two scoring spots were secured by Ellie Francis (21:37 - 117th) and Gwen Breidinger  (21:49 - 125th).

In the second women's race of the day a total of 197 individuals competed for 24 different institutions.

The Saints will return to action on November 7th when they travel to Adrian,Michigan. The WHAC Women's Cross Country Championships will be contested at Heritage Park, with the women's 6K starting at 4pm.