Sophomore Carrington Hessen captured the individual championship and school record in the Women's 6K Black race to highlight a strong showing for the Rockhurst women's cross country team Friday (Sept. 25) at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri.

Hessen crossed the finish line in 20:48.2 to take first place overall, finishing nearly 20 seconds ahead of Southwest Baptist's Natalie Gerdes, who placed second in 21:07.7. The victory continued an impressive start to the season for Hessen, who entered Friday coming off a fourth-place finish at the Rim Rock Farm Classic.

Behind Hessen's individual title, the Rockhurst women finished ninth in the team standings with 191 points. The Hawks' five scoring runners combined for an average time of 22:29.2.

Freshman Natalie Hawthorne was the second Hawk across the line, placing 22nd in 22:13.9. Fellow freshman Brooke Stephenson finished 60th with a time of 22:58.5, while sophomore Keira Naidoo placed 76th in 23:11.9.

Senior Alexis Borum completed the Hawks' scoring five, placing 80th in 23:13.4. Junior Laney Parmeley followed closely in 81st at 23:13.8, while freshman Andie Garrett finished 98th in 23:29.8 to round out the scoring.

The squad is back in action October 11th at the NCAA Pre-National Meet in Lawrence, KS. 

Full Women's Results
1st — Carrington Hessen — 20:48.2 !
22nd — Natalie Hawthorne — 22:13.9
60th — Brooke Stephenson — 22:58.5
76th — Keira Naidoo — 23:11.9
80th — Alexis Borum — 23:13.4
81st — Laney Parmeley — 23:13.8
98th — Andie Garrett — 23:29.8
178th — Kaitlyn Davis — 24:50.0
181st — Ella Easton — 24:54.1
215th — Grace Kaiser — 26:05.7
217th — Emily Medina Benitez — 26:10.7
224th — Alexis O'Mara — 26:44.3
231st — Kylie Stegner — 27:03.2
234th — Mary Salanski — 27:06.4

! - school record