Oct. 18, 2008

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami put together a strong performance without defending individual Mid-American conference champion Laura Neufarth, taking 19th in the Blue race at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind.

Kelsey McHugh was the top finisher taking 58th overall and posting a time of 21:23.2. Amanda Mirochna was second on the team and 86th overall with a time of 21:52.6. Rachel Patterson rounded out the RedHawks in the Top 100 as she came across the line in a time of 21:52.6. Kelley Miller (22:07.4) and Katie Lenahan (22:18.3) completed the Top 5 for Miami finishing 125th and 144th, respectfully.

"The team ran a great race and we are now looking very solid in the MAC (Mid-American Conferenece)," Miami head coach Rita Arndt-Molis said. "We went without Laura (Neufarth) today and if you plug her in we are most likely a Top 12 team, but the girls that did run today were outstanding. Kelsey McHugh hit a personal-best and we are really excited to get to the conference meet."

No. 1 Washington won the Blue race with a team score of 36 points as all of their runners finished in the Top 16.

Next up for Miami they will head to Ypsilanti, Mich., for the Mid-American Conference Championships on Nov. 1. Laura Neufarth will look to defend her individual MAC title in the event.