KEENE, N.H. – The Plattsburgh State women's cross country team returned to action Saturday morning, competing at the Keene State Invitational at Owl Athletic Complex. The Cardinals finished 17th in a highly competitive field that featured three nationally recognized programs, including Williams, ranked second in the USTFCCCA NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll, Tufts, ranked sixth, and Bowdoin, which is receiving votes.

Senior Grace Estus (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) led the Cardinals, placing 22nd in 22:49.7 while recording a new personal best. Junior Isabelle Cunningham (Bethlehem, N.Y./Bethlehem) was the next Cardinal across the finish line, finishing 60th in 24:04.55, also setting a personal best.

The Cardinals' scoring group was rounded out by juniors Ellie LeRoy (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) and Ella Stuttard (Oriskany Falls, N.Y./Waterville), along with senior Lillian Moran (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central). LeRoy placed 120th in 25:01.7, followed by Stuttard in 128th at 25:08.0. Moran was right behind in 129th, crossing the line in 25:09.7.

First-years Nora Mesec (Morrisonville, N.Y./Saranac) and Avery Crain (Hagaman, N.Y./Amsterdam) also contributed to the Cardinals' team score, finishing 135th and 164th, respectively. Mesec clocked in at 25:17.7, setting a new personal best in her young collegiate career, while Crain finished in 26:12.4.

Another runner of note was first-year Gracen Pandolph (Peru, N.Y./Peru), who recorded a new personal best while finishing in 27:30.6.

The Cardinals will be back in action in two weeks, traveling to New London, Conn., on Saturday, Oct. 17, for the Connecticut College Invitational, which will serve as their final regular-season race.