DES MOINES, Iowa — Head coach Dan Hostager was tasked with developing a young team, with eight freshmen and only two seniors competing at a high level this fall. Hostager did just that as the Drake women's cross country team had solid team and individual showings throughout the season.

Fifth-year senior Kirsten Lake, paced the Bulldogs in each of the four meets she competed in. She won the Bulldog Classic in 14:58.00 to open the season, and followed with three top-15 performances and a sixth-place finish at the MVC Championship in Normal, Ill. earning all-conference honors.

Lake was also presented with the team's greatest annual individual honor, the Gary Osborn Leadership Award. The award is given to the member of the team that most exemplifies excellence in Drake cross country in performance and leadership.

Drake began the season on a high, with Lake's win in the Bulldog Classic followed by a second place finish in the Oz Memorial. Two weeks later the young Bulldogs shone again, winning the Grand View Invitational with Celeste Arteaga claiming her first collegiate victory. The freshman ran the 5-kilometer course in 19:08.00 to win, closely followed by junior Amanda Marwitz who finished second in 19:12.00.

Arteaga was not the only freshman runner to impress this season. Taylor Scholl completed a terrific inaugural campaign and was honored with the Karla Burds Leadership Award. The award is presented to a freshman or sophomore that exemplifies an up and coming Drake runner.

Scholl was the epitome of that, finishing as Drake's top runner at the NCAA Midwest Regional Nov. 9 and she was the top finisher behind Lake in two other meets.

The women's most promising meet of the season came at the Bradley Classic Oct. 12 in Normal, Ill. Although placing only 11th in an impressive field, each Bulldog runner finished the 6-kilometer race with a personal best. The team will look to gain experience and continue their success during the track and field season in the spring.