Caroline Kurgat, a two-time All-America runner, captured the women's victory and led the Seawolves to third place Saturday at the Division II Conference Crossover cross-country meet in Romeoville, Illinois.
The meet marked UAA's first competition since Sept. 8. Kurgat returned to action in fine form by covering the 6 kilometers in 21 minutes, 18.9 seconds. She won by 12 seconds.
The unranked UAA women placed third in the 34-team field, trailing sixth-ranked Cal Baptist (51 points) and top-ranked and defending national champion Grand Valley State (66). Six nationally ranked teams finished behind the Seawolves.
Zennah Jepchumba (15th, 22:12.0), Emmah Chelimo (26th, 22:30.4) and Danielle McCormick (30th, 22:33.0) joined Kurgat in the top 30. The race featured 359 runners.
In the men's competition, senior Edwin Kangogo and freshman Felix Femboi cracked the top 25 to lead the 13th-ranked men to a sixth-place finish.
Kangogo placed 19th in the 8K race in 25:29.3 and Kemboi finished 23rd in 25:31.7. Academy of Art's Gatien Airiau won in 24:42.7.
Third-ranked Grand Valley State won the team title with 55 points. UAA scored 223.