LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brooke Valentine (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West) recorded a top-75 finish as the Northern Illinois University cross country team competed in the five-kilometer blue race at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park on Saturday (Oct. 1). 

Competing in a five-kilometer event for the second time this season after opening with the First State Bank Huskie Challenge, all four NIU runners who competed in both events lowered their times from that season-opening race. 

Valentine was the first Huskie to cross the line, finishing in 18:53.7 to take 70th in the field of 422 runners. Joy Jackson (North Aurora, Ill./Benet Academy) also posted a top-100 finish as she claimed 95th with a time of 19:06.5.

Making her first appearance of the season, Emma Planck (Dowington, Pa./Bradley) earned a top-half finish, crossing the line in a time of 19:54.1, to earn a spot in the top-200. Julia Finegan (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) ran a time of 20:35.5 while Sarah McLaughlin posted a time of 20:50.2. 

The Huskies claimed 35th in the team competition in the blue race. Taylor (Ind.) won the blue race team title while Addy Wiley of Huntington earned the individual crown (17:26.1).  

NIU will return to action on Peoria, Ill., on Friday, Oct. 14 at the Bradley Pink Classic. 

Team Standings
1. Taylor, 67
2. Xavier, 111
3. Grand Valley State, 121
35. NIU, 876

NIU Individuals
70. Brooke Valentine, 18:53.7
95. Joy Jackson, 19:06.5
192. Emma Planck, 19:54.1
284. Julia Finegan, 20:35.5
310. Sarah McLaughlin, 20:50.2