DeKALB – The NIU Huskies fielded a fully-healthy seven-woman lineup at the Live in Louisville Classic cross country event on Saturday. This was the third event of the year for NIU, and easily the most stacked.

Entered into the women’s 5K blue division race, NIU placed 35th out of 47 eligible scoring teams with a final score of 876. This was the second time this season they competed in a 5k and overall was the lowest placing of the season for the Huskies.

Senior Brooke Valentine led the pack of Huskies competing, finishing 70th with a scorching 18:53.7. This was her fastest time of the year in the 5K.

Sophomore Joy Jackson followed closely with a solid 19:06.5, placing 95th. Expect her to soon break sub-19.

Graduate Emma Planck, junior Julia Finegan and freshman Sarah McLaughlin were the final three scorers for NIU, respectively. Of 422 finishing runners, NIU’s lowest scoring individual placed a respectable 310th.

Taylor University took home the gold in the women’s 5K blue division race with a dominant score of 67.

With the season winding down, the Huskies will lace up next for the much smaller Bradley Pink Classic on Oct. 14 at Bradley University. This will serve as the final measuring stick of the season before the MAC Championship race on Oct. 29.