GREENVILLE, S.C. - Paced by junior Olivia Gardner's 24th-place finish, the Anderson women's cross country team finished fifth at the third annual Furman Cross Country Classic, hosted by the Paladins, Saturday morning at the Furman University Golf Course.

Competing in a field of 22 non-NCAA Division I collegiate teams, the Trojans improved on their 16th-place finish from a year ago on the challenging 6K course.

"I was very proud of how our women's team ran today," said Anderson head coach Kevin Licht. "This was a very heavy week of training, and despite the heavy legs, they were able to compete at a very high level and run with the top two teams in the region."

Gardner exactly matched her time from last year's appearance in Greenville, at 23:53.25, when she also led the Anderson effort. Sophomore Alex Dixon trimmed nearly a minute off last year's time, crossing the line in a time of 23:57.81 and capturing 26th place. Sophomore Haylee Love, who paced the Trojans a week ago, crossed the finish line in 33rd in a time of 24:11.80. Freshman Martha Coleman (24:13.49) was just behind in 35th, while newcomer Abigail Bozarth (24:22.25) claimed the 38th spot.

Junior Grace Gerlock (25:03.98) slashed 95 seconds off her time from a year ago at the Furman Classic en route to finishing 62nd, with freshman Maddie Buddenberg taking 94th in a time of 26:00.58. Junior Amber Worthy (26:16.39) and sophomore Allison Halperin (27:28.96) finished 104th and 140th, respectively. Freshman Marion Reeves placed 158th in a time of 28:18.54.

Following a two-week layoff, Anderson will get back in action Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Trojans are slated to compete in the Bulldog Stampede, hosted by Wingate.