The Spring Hill College women's cross-country team opened the 2009 season with a 5th place finish out of seven teams at the University of Troy's Trojan Invitational on Saturday morning.

As a team, the Badgers clocked a total time of 1:10:40.12 and their top five finishers averaged 14:08.03 over the 3200-meter course.

Sophomore Kate Imwalle from Mobile's McGill-Toolen Catholic paced the Badgers with a 10th place finish out of 52 runners and a total time of 12.28.88.

Other competitors for SHC were Blakely Duhe (18th) from Mobile at 12:58.75, Lynne Fritscher (31st) from Covington, La., at 14:45.34, Ceci Venker (34th) from St. Louis, Mo., at 15:03.34, Emily Stewart (38th) from Mt. Joliet, Tenn., at 15:23.81, Kiearstan Carter (40th) from Mobile, Lizzie Coppejans (42nd) from Mobile, Ashley Derenbecker (44th) from Bay St. Louis, Miss., at 16:33.39, Julie Sellers (48th) from Layfayette, La. at 16:44.59 and Celia Piccini (51st) from Grand Bay, Ala., at 18:17.75.

"It was a nice start to the season," said SHC Head Coach Joe Williams. "It was a very hilly course and showed us that we have some work to do with our women's team, but overall I'm proud of the effort and happy with the results."