Louisville, KY- The Highland Cavalier Women's Cross Country team compted at the 20th annual Southeastern Cross Country Classic this past weekend. Two UVa-Wise runners posted great days as Mary Katherine Phipps posted a personal best and Kayla Balthis had her strongest run of the season in the 5K event.

Phipps time of 21:26 was a new personal best and should prepare her well for the upcoming AAC Championships according to head coach Doug Carter. "Mary Katherine was pushed by some of the finest runners in the NAIA, and she responded by running her best race of the season." Following Phipps, Kayla Balthis had her best run of the season as well; Balthis ran a 22:08. Leslie Ann Hitt ran a 23:41, Tamara Haack a 26:17, and Danielle Sparkman a 31:10 to round out the UVa-Wise runners.

Carter was also impressed with Kayla Balthis' progression. "Balthis has continued to improve throughout the season; she has knocked more than two minutes off her time." 

UVa-Wise will next compete in the AAC Championships on November 7th.