SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Thunderbird women's cross country team competed at the Capital Cross Challenge in Sacramento on Saturday morning, finishing in second place as a team.

Angie Nickerson was the top finisher for the Thunderbirds, claiming a top-five finish with a time of 20:51.6 to land in fifth place overall. Nickerson said despite not getting the best start she was able to power through it.

“I didn't get out quite as fast as I would have liked, but I felt pretty good, I knew it was going to be a good race,” she said.

Overall, Nickerson said this race will do a lot for SUU's confidence moving forward into the season.

Sharlie Dimick was SUU's second finisher, claiming the 17th spot overall with a time of 21:16.0. Ashley Tyndall was SUU's third finisher with a time of 21:31.4 to finish 33rd overall in the field.

Brighton Glassman was fourth for SUU and 44th overall with a time of 21:42.4 and freshman Julia Mahlke was fifth for SUU and 50th overall with a time of 21:49.5.

Right behind Mahlke was Emma Amundsen, who finished in 51st in the field with a time of 21:52.5. Coming in seventh for SUU was senior Josie Riggs, who finished in 22:00.5. Julieta Navarrete-Lamas was eighth for the Thunderbirds and 66th overall with a time of 22:02.0, rounding out the field of Thunderbirds.  

SUU head coach Eric Houle said he is very impressed with the improvements he's seen from the women's team already this season, with so much more time to get even better.

“To come in as a very young team and get second just shows that the improvement from last season to this season is astounding,” he said. “It's a credit to the young ladies we have in the program and their willingness to work, to listen, and to do the things we need to do to be at the level we are.”

The Thunderbirds finished in front of several California teams, including Cal, USC, San Diego State and Big Sky Conference opponent Sacramento State who hosted the event.

Next week the Thunderbirds will host their lone home event of the season next weekend as they will host the Color Country Invitational at the Cedar Ridge Golf Course