The Southwestern women's cross country team competed Friday, Aug. 31, at the Bill Buxton Invite in Indianola. It was a cool, wet day as storms pushed past the complex. The ladies finished in fourth out of the five-team field with 98 points to edge out their first victory over an opponent this season by just one point. It just so happened that team was conference rival DMACC.

"I knew going into the day that if we had a solid performance we would have a chance to compete with them (DMACC). In the middle of the race, I knew it was going to be close and I kept urging my ladies that every point mattered," mentioned Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Trey Bruton. The women's race was highlighted by a 12th-place finish by sophomore Spartan Heather Jessen of Baxter. "Heather is a great leader for our ladies out there; her experience is a big factor of what is helping us to continue to improve like we are."

Bruton summarized by saying, "With 800 meters to go, I knew it was about even. Our ladies finished well and passed a couple of their runners (DMACC) in the last portion of the race. Beating them by a single point showed my ladies the importance that every team member plays in our success. If any one of our ladies finishes a spot worse we don't beat them!"