Mars Hill Women begin onslaught on school records at Fire Tower Project

BOONE, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's cross country team finished a strong 2nd place among Division II competition and placed eighth overall at the Fire Tower Project race, hosted by Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina on Friday evening over the 6k race distance.

The Lions continue to be led by a strong pack of five runners made up of three freshman runners and two upperclass women. With a top five team average time of 24:03, this is the #3 All-Time Mars Hill women's cross country 6k team average time behind the 2004 and 2014 women's team. 

In her first attempt on racing the 6k cross country distance, freshman Sophie Ratcliff led the Lions with a time of 22:44 which will slot her in as the #2 All-Time Mars Hill Women's Cross Country runner over the 6k race distance. Behind Ratcliff, the next four Lions finished in quick succession. Freshman Mary Malcolm finished with a time of 24:13 with Grace Adams hot on her heels in 24:16 and freshman Natalee Powers also close behind with a time of 24:26 in what was the first 6k race for all three runners. Hannah Frazer rounded out the team scoring with a time of 24:38 to set a three second personal record over the 6k race distance from last season. This tight team finish kept the Lion's spread from runners 2nd to 5th runners down to an excellent 25 seconds. 

With her time over the 6k race distance, freshman Ratcliff will move into the #2 All-Time position on the Mars Hill Women's Cross Country 6k Top 25 All-Time record board. She is only behind legendary Mars Hill runner Jessica Viscusi (2011-2015) who has over fifteen Mars Hill track & field and cross country records to her name. Freshman Malcolm, junior Adams, freshman Powers, and senior Frazer also etch their names into the Mars Hill Women's Cross Country 6k Top 25 All-Time record board in positions 16, 18, 21, and 25 respectively and they look to advance higher on the record board throughout the season.

Thoughts from Coach Benge:

"The women had a very strong showing tonight in their first 6k race of the season!  Each Lady Lion runner was able to work through the pack and pass multiple people in the second half and last mile of the race. Congrats to freshman Sophie Ratcliff for leading the charge with the #2 All-Time Mars Hill Women's Cross Country 6k time of 22:44 and I also want to give a big kudos to the whole team of women running strong behind her! This team also managed to snag the 3rd fastest Mars Hill Women's Cross Country 6k team average time and there have been some very good women's teams at Mars Hill in the past. This team depth is also highlighted by a small 25 second gap between the second and fifth runners and strong finishes all the way throughout the team. Keep an eye on the Hill!!"

To view the full list of times, please click here.

The Mars Hill women's cross country team next competes at the Maryville College XC Invitational on Friday, September 27. That race is being held in Maryville, Tennessee and is set for a 4 p.m. start.