Enjoying arguably the program's most complete meet under the direction of third-year Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Conner Flynn, Shawnee State seemingly had one good performance after another, led by their star harrier who finished 52nd at the 2024 NAIA National Championship Meet.

Olivia Cisco's 22:05.10 put the senior on a pedestal of her own -- as not only the top runner ever in Shawnee State history in the 6K, but one of just six runners in the entire field to run a time under 22:30 in the event. Cisco also finished under a second back of claiming a runner-up finishing position in arguably her finest race as a collegiate athlete.

The personal bests, however, only piled up from there.

Coming off of a great performance at the 2024 River States Conference Cross Country Championships where Jessica Elick posted a personal best of over 29 seconds in the event, the Adena High School alum took full advantage of her first 6K race to begin her junior season, running a stout 23:31.60 to run nearly 36 full seconds faster than where she left off in 2024, finishing 20th in the field of 203.

Experienced runners Juniper Allen and Riley Colestock each followed with strong runs of their own, as Allen's 24:12.80 and Colestock's 24:17.50 were massive improvements for each as Allen ran nearly 49 seconds faster than her previous personal best while Colestock ran almost 59 seconds faster than her previous personal best.

Beth Middleton, who finished in the top-60 with a 59th place showing out of the 203 runners in the field, ran a personal best of 28.4 seconds on the nose in running a 24:28, while Payton McQuirt, in her first 6K race as a collegiate athlete, was quite impressive herself, running a 24:34.60 to finish in 66th place as each of Shawnee State's first six runners all finished inside the top third of the field.

"I'm so proud of the women," Flynn said. "They are very deep and strong. To have six athletes run faster than our No. 3 at the end of last season is unheard of. Cisco set a new school record. Jess, Juniper, Beth, and Riley with big PBs. Even further than that, many of the freshmen women ran their 5K PB in route to the 6K. The women couldn't be in a better place right now."

The youngest Cisco sister -- Hadlee -- enjoyed a good run of her own with a 26:10.80 in her own first-ever 6K to finish 125th, while Sydney Reed (146th) and Maggie Taylor (153rd) ran times of 26:41.20 and 26:50.40, respectively.

Emma Hurst (163rd, 27:21), Whitney Adams (170th, 27:47.30) and Allana Pemberton (198th, 31:48.70) rounded out the finishing order for the Bears in the event.

By finishing fifth as a team, Shawnee State (160 points) was easily the best finishing River States Conference program in the event, beating out both Rio Grande (196) and No. 13 Indiana-East (216), the latter of whom has won the RSC Championship in each of SSU's first two seasons in the River States.

Only the top-ranked NAIA program in the country, Taylor (Ind.), along with No. 6 Marian, No. 7 Grace and No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan, bettered Shawnee State's team score -- and the Bears came within 20 points of beating out Grace for the fourth position in the final rundown.

The results certainly have Flynn buzzing about his women -- and rightfully so.

"I am more than proud of the leadership of this women's team," Flynn said. "The upperclassmen have taken ownership of the opportunity, and it's a large reason that we are in the position that we are."

For more information on the Shawnee State women's cross country program, visit https://ssubears.com/sports/womens-cross-country or follow the Bears on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/shawnee_state_xctf/.