CHARLESTON, Ill. – Kassidy's Dexheimer's seventh-place finish at the EIU Walt Crawford Invitational highlighted the season-opening women's cross country meet for the Cougars.

Dexheimer was SUE's top runner in the 5K race in 18 minutes, 33.74 seconds.

SIUE placed third as a team with host Eastern Illinois winning the meet with 29 points followed by Illinois (31), SIUE (72), Kaskaskia (124) and Defiance (133).

Other SIUE finishers were Alexis Fischer (18^th/19:52.82), Chessy Nikonowicz (20^th/20:00.72), Kaitlyn Walker (21^st/20:08.27), Gabby Wood (24^th/20:17.32), Natalia Rodriguez (28^th/21:16.76), and Alexis Edgar (31^st/21:57.59).

Next up for the Cougars is the Illinois State Redbird Invite on Sept. 17.