TACOMA, Wash. – Freshman Annika Deazley finished 16^th Saturday at the 2021 PLU Invitational to lead the Pacific Lutheran University women's cross country team to a third place in the team race.

"What an amazing day of cross country," said PLU Head Coach Adam Frye.  "It was so much fun to host a home meet for the first time in two years.  We were grateful for the opportunity to rac in front of alumni, family and friends. Their support was much appreciated. It was exciting to see our women finish in the top third of the field.  They did a great job of working together ad moving up in the second half.  Annika led us with a really strong 6K debut."

The freshman finished in 24:03.6 while navigating the 6,000-kilometer course. Saturday marks the second consecutive race the freshman has led the Lutes, after finishing fifth at the Puget Sound Invitational earlier this month.
Teammate Sulin Degollado finished 21^st in 24:18.

The Lutes finished with a team total of 107 points. Pacific, which is ranked No. 1 in the most recent Division III West Region rankings, won the title with 40 points, while Lewis & Clark was second with 58 points. Seattle Pacific's Annika Esvelt won the individual title in a time of 22:15.7.

The rest of the scoring runners for the Lutes were Joan Park in 23^rd in 24:21.2, Anna Iverson in 24^th in 24:28.2 and Alicia Krivanek in 29^th in 24:40.1.

The Lutes have two weeks off before competing in the Charles Bowles Invitational in Salem, Ore., on Oct. 2.