Prescott, AZ- The women's cross-country team drove up the mountain to Prescott, AZ for their first race of the season at the Embry-Riddle Invitational.  The race, run on the campus of Embry-Riddle University, sits at 5,500 feet and features multiple long hills with uneven ground making the course the most challenging the team will face all season.  Competing against the Firestorm was the host Eagles, as well as several local junior college teams from the area.

Leading the women's team was senior Alison Unruh who finished 4^th overall with a time of 21:04.  She was followed closely behind by sophomore Alexi Till (21:25) and junior Priscilla Celis-Saldivar (21:51). Making her Firestorm debut was freshman Piper Shannon who finished 10^th overall and 4^th on the team with a time of 22:05.  Behind her was junior Eva Huff who ran 22:27, and sophomore Brennen Stephens who ran a 20 second course personal best of 24:35.

Thoughts from Coach Fahsholz
"Over the years, this has become our go-to first race of the season because of how challenging it is.  There is less oxygen in Prescott, and that, along with the long winding hills test the fitness levels of our runners.  For those who ran, I was really pleased with both their effort and competitive intelligence. We had a plan of going out at a very controlled effort and hopefully moving up in the second half of the race.  The ladies executed that plan very well, and I am excited to see them continue to grow and tighten their connection throughout the season."

Event Details
Invitational: Women's 5K
Team Finish: 2^nd of 2 Teams
Number of runners: 57
Location: Embry-Riddle University (Prescott, AZ)

GSAC Team Finishes

1. Embry-Riddle

Team Points - 19
Team Time – 1:42:24

2. Arizona Christian

Team Points - 37
Team Time – 1:48:54
 
Individual Finish
Alison Unruh
Time – 21:04 
Place - 4^th
Alexi Till
Time – 21:27
Place – 6^th
Priscilla Celis-Saldivar
Time – 21:51
Place - 9^th
Piper Shannon
Time - 22:05 
Place - 10^th
Eva Huff
Time – 22:27
Place - 12^th
Brennen Stephens
Time – 24:35
Place - 17^th
 
Next On the Schedule
Next Saturday the team will host the 2^nd Annual Firestorm Classic at the Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park in Glendale, AZ.  The men will race first at 7:30am and the women will follow at 8:15am.

Roll Storm!