DES MOINES, Iowa - Drake fifth-year senior Kirsten Lake (Parker, Colo.) blew past the field Friday in the Bulldog Classic women's cross country race with a time of 14:58 on the 4-kilometer course at Ewing Park.

"It feels really good," Lake said after winning her race by six seconds. "It's a good way to start off the season. I feel a lot more confidence now going into the rest of the season."

Lake, who had an impressive 2012 track season, focused on a more intense training regimen this summer in preparation of her final cross country season.

"I definitely stepped up my mileage compared to other summers," she said.

Sophomore Mariel Fulton (Monarch, Colo.) was Drake's top finisher a year ago and finished eighth at 15:33. Freshman Taylor Scholl (Prior Lake, Minn.) finished in 12th place with a time of 15:54. She was followed by junior Amanda Marwitz (Crystal Lake, Ill.) who finished in 13th place in 15:58.

A group of young Bulldogs had strong showings in their first competitive race. Emma Johnson (Mora, Minn.), Cassie Aerts (David City, Neb.), and Emma Huston (Des Moines, Iowa) finished in 15th, 16th and 17th respectively.

No team scores were kept for the event. The Bulldogs will head to Minneapolis next weekend for the Oz Memorial on Sept. 7.

Bulldog Classic Women's 4-Kilometer Drake Results

1. Kirsten Lake, 14:58
8. Mariel Fulton, 15:33
12. Taylor Scholl, 15:54
13. Amanda Marwitz, 15:58
15. Emma Johnson, 16:06
16. Cassie Aerts, 16:07
17. Emma Huston, 16:11
19. Melissa Parks, 16:24
20. Erin Dobey, 16:24
21. Erin Poss, 16:26
23. Celeste Arteaga, 16:39
24. Allie Heifner, 16:42
26. Stephanie Parks, 16:55
28. Cammy Dole, 17:41
29. Laura Gann, 18:01