BREVARD, N.C. – Junior Carly Fuel led the way with a fourth-place finish as the Lander women's cross country team placed third overall at the Brevard XC Classic on Friday evening.

Fuel clocked 18:55.72 to set a program junior record, surpassing Heather Varn's 1998 mark (19:29.00). Her performance paced the Bearcats to a 1–5 average of 20:12 and a 1–5 split of 2:28.

Freshman Elizabeth Reid impressed in her collegiate debut, finishing in 19:44.00 – the fourth-fastest freshman time in program history.

Veterans Madeline Beal (20:21.52) and Amara Hille (20:34.06) followed as Lander's third and fourth finishers, while Rachel Schenck (21:24.68) closed out the scoring five in 43rd place.

Three other Bearcats raced:
Sophie Bridges – 22:07.08 (debut)
Arianna Nabbie – 22:48.15
Emma Seay – 23:55.18 (debut)

Lander finished as the second-highest Division II team in the field, placing ahead of NAIA No. 2-ranked Milligan.

The Bearcats return to action Friday, Oct. 3, at the Spartan Classic hosted by UNC Greensboro.