SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's cross country team finished 23^rd out of 26 universities at the Augustana Twilight at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Golden Eagles were guided by a stand-out debut from Madison Hilliard (Fr., Jacksonville, N.C.), who finished 76^th out of 313 runners. Hilliard clocked a time of 19:44.07 defeating NCAA Division I runners from the University of Nebraska, Creighton University, University of Nebraska Omaha, South Dakota State University, and University of South Dakota. Only 27 Division II runners posted faster times than Hilliard Friday night.

In addition to Hilliard, Anna Grabowski (So., Waterdown, Ontario) had a strong showing, finishing in 20:42.98. Madison Elijah (Fr., Hebron, Ind.) clocked in at 22:45.49. Brooke Benson (Sr.) finished in 23:28.3. Alyssa Stillman (Sr., Hortonville, Wis.) finished in 24:04.37. Katie Orth (Sr., Randall, Minn.) put up a time of 26:03.8. Rena Sakai (Sr., Chiba, Japan) clocked in at 26:09.3. Brianna Shaw (Sr., Bemidji, Minn.) finished in 27:34.22.

South Dakota State University won the race as a team, edging out the University of Nebraska. Minnesota State University was the top Division II program in the race. The Golden Eagles were just edged out by Concordia University-St. Paul. The top individual runner was Nebraska's Alea Hardie, who finished in 17:00.07.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action at the St. Olaf Invitational Saturday, September 17 in Northfield, Minn.