COCKEYSVILLE, Md. – The Towson University women's cross country team opened the 2018 season with a win at the Towson Invitational hosted at Oregon Ridge Park Friday afternoon. Senior Abby Gauthier led the way taking first with a time of 15:56.84 to secure the title.
 
This is the third straight win at the season-opening meet for the Tigers after Erica Israel led the team to victory last year. Towson had six runners in the top ten and a team total of 19 points, while Morgan State came in second, McDaniel took third and Gallaudet finished fourth.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Israel took second with a time of 15:57.09, ahead of freshman McKenzie Delahanty who finished third with a time of 16:24.13 in her collegiate debut.
• Morgan State rounded out the top five with two of its runners finishing fourth and fifth.
• Towson's Nicki Iacaruso crossed the line at 16:45.21 for another top-10 finish for the host team.
• Paige Keefer also finished in the top-10 with a time of 16:58.75.
• Deandra Francois and Elizabeth Vaughn finished their first college race only two seconds apart, with times of 17:50.57 and 17:52.62 respectively.
• Freshmen Kaitlyn Famiglietti and Aliya Williams also saw their first action in the black and gold.
• Junior Melissa Graham improved on her time from last season with a 17:56.17 finish, 14 seconds better than last season's run.

 
"It's always great to start the season with a win," said head coach Mike Jackson. "This is a great opportunity for family, friends, fans and alumni to take a good look at the 2018 ATI gets. I'm looking forward to a much improved year as we get further into the season."
 
The Tigers continue their fall season on September 15 at the Salty Dog Invitational meet hosted by the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.