The Florida Gulf Coast University women's cross country placed five runners in the top-25 to finish second in the five-team Saint Leo Invitational on Friday evening, which was held at the Little Everglades Steeplechase Course in Dade City. It was the best team finish in school history.

Sophomore Katy Steffan (Naples Barron Collier), in her first race at FGCU, finished seventh in the women's division 5-K run with a time of 21:14. Her time was the seventh-fastest 5-K time in school history. Freshman Laura Salinas (Naples Lely) placed 14th, freshman Ashley Adams placed 19th, sophomore Lindsey Garven (Oviedo)was 21st and freshman Nichole Grothaus (Naples) finished 23rd to complete the team scoring.

Florida Southern swept the first five places to finish with a perfect score of 15 to win the women's team title. Nova Southeastern was third with 103 points, Rollins fourth at 118 and host Saint Leo finished fifth with 155 points.

The FGCU women will compete in the Gator Invitational on Saturday, September 18.