Georgetown, Texas - In a field of 13 teams, the Berry Vikings Cross Country women's team secured sixth place in a competitive and close scoring field that was comprised of several NCAA Division I programs. The Vikings launched their season at the Stormy Seas Opener 5K in Georgetown, Texas, racing on their conference course as a foundation for the challenges to come. Even more encouraging, two of Berry's top five finishers were freshmen, proving that youth does not equate to weakness.

The Vikings earned a score of 171 on Saturday morning, finishing in front of fellow Division III competitor Texas Lutheran University who captured seventh place with a score of 182. Berry was a mere one point away from a top five finish. The Texas Running Club scored a respectable 170 points to top the Vikings. Southwestern University capitalized on their home-course knowledge to finish third (118), while Texas turned in a perfect 15 to win the meet.

Transfer Ella Williams led the way for the Vikings in her Berry debut, finishing 18th overall with a time of 20:04.99, a career-best mark. With a single 20-minute performance, Williams announced her arrival as a runner destined to be a key figure for the Vikings in the years ahead.

This Vikings squad is a young team, but that does not make them any less lethal. Abby Reams, another freshman, was the second runner in the Berry white singlet to turn in her bib after the race. Reams finished in 33rd place with a time of 21:33.73, doing her part to keep the Vikings in contention for a top finish.
The third top freshman to score for the Vikings was Masa Iwanski. The Evans native clocked a time of 21:49.45 for a 40th place finish.

Veteran Katie Frankman, a senior, was less than seven seconds behind her teammate. With a 44th place finish, Frankman crossed the finish in a time of 21:56.20. Fellow senior Leine Burke rounded out the scoring for the Vikings on Saturday morning. Burke secured 56th place in a field of 115 with a time of 22:28.52.

The Vikings will fly home and quickly put their spikes back on as they gear up for the second annual Equal Distance Meet on their home course in Mt. Berry, GA, on Sept. 6. The race is set to begin at 9:00 a.m.