Results
See Assistant Coach Artie Smith's Video Interview

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Competing against several nationally ranked teams, including three of the top five in the nation, the Big Red finished a fantastic fifth at the Pre-National meet in Terre Haute, Ind., on Sunday, a mere three points behind No. 18 Michigan and only one point behind No. 4 nationally-ranked Colorado.

Coming off of an impressive seventh-place team finish at Lehigh's Paul Short Invitational two weeks ago, also a highly competitive national-level race, the Big Red women raced with poise and toughness on Sunday, placing fifth of 40 teams. The Big Red scored 161 points: only No. 3 Florida State (46), No. 5 Georgetown (99), No. 18 Michigan (158) and No. 4 Colorado (160) finished before Cornell and sixth place University of California-Davis was 60 points back. Heps rival Dartmouth placed seventh with 273 points.

With an opportunity to preview the same 6K course that will be used for the NCAA Championships at the end of November and another chance to compete against top-flight competition, the Big Red was up to the challenge. In solid position early, the Big Red was in fifth at 3K, but well behind the top four teams. Despite relative inexperience on the course – only sophomore Devin McMahon had raced here before when she competed at the 2010 NCAA Championships – the team handled the course and the competition well, steadily moving up the field in the more challenging final 3K to nearly steal third place as a team in the final kilometer.

The Big Red was led once again by junior Katie Kellner who had a second straight top-15 finish in a nationally competitive field, this week placing 15th in 21:06 on a windy and warm day. Sophomore Emily Shearer continued her breakout season, steadily moving up to place 24th in 21:27. Meanwhile, junior Genna Hartung gave a great effort to place a solid 28th in 21:32. Two other Cornellians were in the top 50: freshman Marianne Collard closed very strongly to place 48th in 21:51 and McMahon had her best race of the season, crossing the line in 21:53 to grab 50th and close out Cornell's team score. Senior Janel Parker had another strong race to place 65th in 22:05, junior Kate Rosettie ran a personal-best 22:22 for 84th. Also competing in the field of over 300 runners was sophomore Dale Kinney, who was 138th in 23:03 and freshman Sydney Williams, who was 156th in 23:18 after sustaining an ankle injury during the race.

The Big Red hosts its final home cross country meet of 2011 on Friday with the Reif Memorial Run at the Moakley Course. Competition begins at 4:30 p.m.

After that, Cornell will turn its attention to the Cross Country Heps, which will be held this year on Saturday, Oct. 29. For the first time in nearly 35 years the meet will not be contested at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City due to on-going construction on the venerable course. This year, Princeton will host the meet at West Windsor Fields.