CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Florida Southern women's cross country team went full out for the first time Friday night as the Moccasins competed at the Royals Cross Country Challenge hosted by Queens University of Charlotte. Despite finishing eighth overall, the Mocs were the third among NCAA Division II programs. The field featured 27 teams including 10 NCAA Division I teams. Four of the eight Mocs who raced Friday produced personal bests.
 
Sophomore Emma Mussante was the first Moc finisher as she took 23^rd overall with a time of 18:24.3 on the 5K course. The time of 18:24.3 is a personal best for Mussante by over 25 seconds. Junior Ellie Fluman crossed the line in 19:04.4 to finish second for the Mocs and 55^th overall.
 
Junior Emery Roth stopped the clock at 19:07.3 to take 60^th, just five spots behind Fluman. The time shaved nearly seven seconds off her previous career best. The scoring five was wrapped up by junior Jinia Johnson and sophomore Marisa Kortright who took 70^th and 71^st overall, respectively. Johnson clocked in at 19:13.0 for a new personal best while Kortright crossed the line in 19:14.1.
 
Sophomore Mya Stam finished one spot out of scoring position as she took sixth on the team and 94^th overall. Stam was able to complete the distance in 19:30.0, nearly a minute faster than her previous career best. The final two Moccasin finishers were sophomore Karah McElhone (168^th, 20:41.5) and freshman Rachel Hockenberry (188^th, 20:58.8).
 
NAIA member Milligan won the overall team championship with 75 total points. Host Queens (84) and the College of Charleston (150) rounded out the top three. The top NCAA Division II finisher was Anderson who took fifth overall. Fellow NCAA DII member Catawba finished one spot ahead of the Mocs in seventh with 218 points while the Mocs tallied 234 points for eighth.
 
Florida Southern will be back in action a week from today, Friday, Oct. 14, at the USF Invite in Tampa, Fla.