CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Friday evening, Milligan University's No. 3-ranked women's cross country squad went east to the Royals Cross Country Challenge, hosted by NCAA Division I Queens University of Charlotte, N.C. After a strong race by the Buffaloes' top harriers, including five personal-best showings, they earned a fifth-place finish out of 26 attending programs.

It was another stellar day for Joanna Halterman, who turned in a 17:48.3 in the 5k race, which was yet another personal-best clip. She placed 16th as an individual.

Freshman Anna Gisler was also tremendous, seizing a 31st-place finish with a time of 18:12.7, which stood as yet another personal-best mark.

Kaylee Coll was also able to set a personal-best time of 18:26.0 to place 41st and continue the trend of Buffaloes racing at a high level.

Then, it was Karly Wilhjelm (18:29.8) who placed 46th and fourth overall for the Lady Buffs.

Annabelle Stewart (89th) finished in 19:10.8 to count as the last score toward the team tally.

Both Kelsey Burleson (19:13.6) and Rylee McGuire (19:42.7) also set personal-best times for the Buffaloes.

The squad racked up 184 points to place in the fifth position at the event.

"I'm really encouraged by our women tonight," director of cross country and track & field Chris Layne said. "I know, and they know, there is more out there. However, I want us to appreciate this step and gain confidence from a great performance top to bottom. It was a big-time run for Joanna, which we knew was there, and then Anna stepped up in a big way. Her high school cross country PB was 20:32, so today was obviously a massive step forward for her."

In a pair of weeks, on Oct. 23, the Appalachian Challenge looms. The event serves as a tuneup for the Buffaloes before they head to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championships on Nov. 6. Both races are held at Knoxville, Tennessee's Sequoyah Park.

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