KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Shippensburg University women's cross country team placed six runners among the Top 9 finishers and eight in the Top 15 to earn a convincing victory on Saturday morning at Kutztown's Division II Challenge.

Junior Neely Spence won the meet in 20:57 - her third victory of the season. It was Neely's first 6K race of the year. She was 63 seconds faster than the next closest competitor - who happened to be senior teammate Mary Dell. The 6K time for Dell was 22:00.

Perhaps the greatest story of the day was SU's No. 3 runner. Senior Emily Dubs had one of the best cross country races of her collegiate career. In her first 6K race of the season, Dubs had an outstanding performance in which she placed fourth in 22:52. Dubs' previous career best in the 6K was 23:04, set last year at the Paul Short Invitational.

Senior Abby Huber rounded out the Top 5 as SU's No. 4 runner, also posting a time of 22:52. Junior Sarah Strayer had one of the best 6K races of her collegiate career - finishing eighth in 23:02.

Sophomore Katie Spratford was also among the Top 10, finishing ninth in 23:09 as the team's No. 6 runner. Junior Katie Frey had one of her strongest races of the season, finishing 11th in 23:13.

In two weeks, SU will compete at the 2010 PSAC Championships, hosted by California (Pa.).

Shippensburg (1st; 20 points)
1. Neely Spence (20:57)
2. Mary Dell (22:00)
4. Emily Dubs (22:52)
5. Abby Huber (22:52)
8. Sarah Strayer (23:02)
9. Katie Spratford (23:09)
11. Katie Frey (23:13)
15. Jamie McCollum (23:22)
19. Lindsey Hollenshead (23:41)
21. Allison Constant (23:58)
27. Emma Shank (24:11)
36. Julia Megaro (24:36)
44. Megan Rhyner (24:43)
47. Steph Sleboda (24:52)
49. Katie Wiechelt (24:58)
62. Karena Moran (25:18)
68. Courtney Moyer (25:29)
69. Hannah Lash (25:31)
71. Heidi Shuck (25:35)
72. Lauren Meckley (25:36)
91. Laura Antinucci (26:51)
101. Jen Christy (28:12)