BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Ashley Bitler ran a personal-best 23:33 to finish 17th in the nearly 300-athlete field in the Green Race at the Paul Short Invitational. She was one of five Eastern Women's Cross Country runners to turn personal-bests on the warm October afternoon at Lehigh University. The Eagles finished 17th in a field of 34 teams that included Division II and Division III competition.

Bitler's time puts her in the top ten in program history and is behind only Kierra Zack and Megan Bernotas for times posted by a first-year. Julia Wade finished 59th and was the second finisher for the Eagles and Ashley Medina came through in a personal-best 25:31 to be Eastern's third runner. All five of Eastern's scoring athletes came through in the top half of the field. 

Kaleigh Newsome trimmed over 30 seconds off her previous personal best time and finished in 124th place overall. Talia Fogel and Mya Cadena also posted PR's.

"[It was]A strong day with some big PRs and an upward team movement throughout the race," Head Coach Keihl Smith said of his team's performance. "By no means was it a perfect day as we struggled in some areas. However, our ladies benefited from great team racing where individuals stepped up big-time. I am encouraged by today's run and believe we can improve upon today's race come championship season."

Eastern rhas two weeks to prepare for their next big test at Roanoke.