LOGAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Ashley Bittler ran a new personal best on Saturday with a 22:45.6 over the six kilometer course at the NCAA Metro Region Championships. Bitler earned All-Region honors with a 23rd place finish. The Eagles placed 14th out of 25 teams, finishing where they did last year in the regional race.

Bitler capped off a strong first season with a 48-second PR at DREAM Park following her Third-Team All-MAC finish two weekends ago.

All six of Eastern's other runners set new PRs on Saturday. First-year Ashley Medina ran a 26:18.1, shaving 53 seconds off her previous personal best. Sophomore Chelsea Kipnis crossed in 25:05.6, which was a 51-second PR. Sophomores Kayleigh Newsome, Gisella Croge, Jessica Ferrera ran under 26 minutes for the first time, finishing in 25:12.3, 25:31.8, and 25:33.9 respectively. First-year Talia Fogel rounded out the group with a 26:18.1, her first run under 27 minutes this season.

"Our women's team was missing a few pieces, but despite that, they pulled together and stepped up," Eastern Head Coach Kiehl Smith said. "The entire squad ran significant lifetime bests, had great energy, and took care of each other throughout the day. I was very pleased with how fast they got out. They took a chance on themselves and were rewarded in a big way. I am very excited to see this whole squad return next year."