Springfield, Ill. - The Quincy University cross country program opened their 2024 campaign at the UIS Prairie Star Invitational on Friday (Sept. 6). Katie Park found herself second in the Quincy record book while the men's freshmen trio performed well in their first showing. 

Park finished 56th in a tough group of conference runners, finishing her 5k in 21.34.4 and breaking her personal best from last fall. Brianna Obermaier finished second for the Hawks with a 23:10 time followed shortly by freshman Ava Certa at 23:22.5. Sofia Coglianese and Carlie Davis rounded out the group finishing back to back with 26:42.3 and 26:46.5 respectively. 

Thomas Hess, Vincent Olson, and Owen Weinfurtner made their college debuts at the Prairie Stars Invite. Hess entered himself into the Quincy Top-10 for the 7k, finishing at 25:09.7. Olson and Weinfurtner finished behind at 26:43 and 26:56.7 respectively.

The Hawks look to build on the strides made in Springfield at the Larry Young Invitational hosted by Columbia Collge on September 20th.