On Saturday the Drake women’s cross-country team took third place in the Walt Disney Cross Country Classic.

Led by freshman Mariel Fulton, the team blazed through the 5,000-meter course at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Fulton finished in 11th place,  followed by senior Kirsten Lake in 20th and freshman Melissa Parks in 24th.

The team is young, only boasting one senior, but experience in a large meet like the Walt Disney Cross Country Classic will pay dividends for the team at conference championships.

Head coach Dan Hostager commented on the progression of his youthful team.

“Our conference is strong this year, and we will have to step it up, but the freshmen are doing well and gaining experience,” Hostager said.

One of Hostager’s prominent freshmen is Fulton.

“The atmosphere is a little more intense because at a national meet you don’t always lead the pack, but it feels good to compete,” Fulton said.

Drake next turns its attention to the Bradley Classic, which will be held in Peoria, Ill., this Friday. After the Bradley Classic, the team will have two weeks to prepare for the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships on Oct. 30 in Terre Haute, Ind.