BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall women's cross country team took part in the White Race at the prestigious Paul Short Run on Saturday. The event, hosted by Lehigh, welcomed top teams from across Divisions I, II, and III. The Diplomats placed 29th in their first 6,000 meter race of the season. The White Race featured five Centennial Conference schools. F&M's score of 751 points defeated Muhlenberg and was just behind both Swarthmore and Ursinus in the final team standings.

First-year Katie Scott continued to lead the Diplomats as she claimed a 64th place finish with a time of 24:22.2. Not far behind her was teammate Annalise Kauffman in a time of 24:35.3. That mark was good for 76th in the large field of contestants.

Anna Atticks was the third Diplomats' runner across the line with her time of 26:37.4. She was followed to the line by teammate Julianne Cadden's mark of 27:05.5. Cadden improved her overall placement by 39 spots after the one-mile check point. Abby Bachman (28:20.7) was the Diplomats' final scoring runner as the fifth F&M runner across the line. Hana Hyman was another Diplomat who got stronger as the race went along, improving her position by 19 spots after the first mile check point.

Women's cross country will return to action in two weeks when it takes part in the Gettysburg Invitational on Saturday, October 14. That meet is set for a 10 a.m. start and will be the final tune-up before the 2023 Centennial Conference Championships at the end of October.