The Case Western Reserve University women's cross country team opened its 2023 season on Friday night with an eighth-place finish out of 16 teams at the Tommy Evans Invitational at the Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton, Ohio.

In addition to finishing eighth overall, the Spartans also placed third among the nine Division III teams in attendance at the meet, which was hosted by Akron.

Sophomore Lauren Iagnemma led the way for the Spartans, placing 16th out of 189 runners with a time of 18:44.62 in the 5K race. She was followed by senior Grace Jackson, who placed 25th with a time of 18:55.47. The final three Spartan scorers all finished in a close pack, with sophomore Ayla Grabenbauer placing 64th in a time of 19:44.97, sophomore Arianna Holbrook finishing 65th in a time of 19:45.12, and junior Marquis Globokar placing 66th with a time of 19:45.33.

Rounding out the Spartan finishers were senior Jessica Kwasny (94th, 20:23.37), sophomore Julia Hluck (128th, 21:08.95), sophomore Anna Avila (133rd, 21:13.08), junior Medha Patria (167th, 22:46.26), and sophomore Melanie Taylor (180th, 24:07.74).

The Spartans finished with 204 team points. Bowling Green won the team race with 46 points, followed by Ohio (65) and Akron (115).

The Spartans will be back in action in two weeks, traveling to Cedarville, Ohio for the All-Ohio Invitational.