PORTSMOUTH, Ohio - Katie Gillespie made her collegiate debut by winning the individual title at the Shawnee State Invitational and the NAIA #2 Lady Jackets were victorious in their 2009 season opener.

Cedarville totaled 24 points while the host Bears had 33. The rest of the five-team field included Mount Vernon Nazarene, 85; Ohio Dominican, 107; and Ohio Valley, 144.

Gillespie, a four-time All-Ohio performer during her prep career, was one of four freshmen among CU's top five finishers. She toured the 5,000 meter course in 18:06.

Two-time NAIA All-American Lydia Wong was the runner-up in 18:24. She was followed by three other rookies. Carolyn Case, a three-time all-state runner and Gillespie's high school teammate, was 4th in 19:06. Hannah Lamos placed 8th while Neola Putnam was 9th. Both runners were timed in 19:50.

A pair of sophomores rounded out CU's top seven. Rachel Wong finished 11th in 20:32 and Jennifer Hollander was 13th in 20:41. [COMPLETE RESULTS (pdf)]