DELAND, Fla.  – Sophomore Cadie Sly finished 25th overall to lead the Florida Gulf Coast University women's cross country team to a ninth place finish in the 16th Annual Hatter Cross Country 5-K Invitational on Friday night.

Sly covered the wet, muddy course in 21:22 to lead the Eagles. Junior Lindsey Garven placed 53rd in 22:41 to edge freshman Lyndsey Kelly, who was 54th in 22:42. Freshman Marie Scarpantonio placed 61st with a time of 22:57, Cindy Watson was 65th in 23:18, freshman Lindsey Gualario was 68th in 23:34, while Katy Steffan was 69th with a time of 23:39.

“As our kids do each weekend, they ran with great intensity and great effort” said Eagles coach Chris Highfield. “I congratulated them on a wonderful regular season but we will be hard at work preparing the next three weeks.”

The NCAA Division II South Region championship meet will be held at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City on November 5.