RALEIGH, N.C. – Caroline Inman led the women's cross country squad crossing the finish line ninth breaking her old mark in the 5K as the Buccaneers finished fifth as a whole at the N.C. State Adidas Challenge Friday.

Inman, a sophomore from Lexington, Ky., shattered her previous 5K mark by 2:07 posting a time of 17:47.2 and ninth-place finish Friday among a stacked field. Inman was one of just three athletes among the top-10 not affiliated with the host N.C. State as all seven Buccaneers crossed the finish line among the top-40 of the field.

Inman's old 5K record came in the Charleston Classic in 2018 before her 17:47.2 Friday. Makennah Mills shaved 12 seconds off her personal-best turning-in an 18:36.4 and 19th-place finish while Bethany Thornhill and Taylor Barnes crossed the line 27th and 28th and Amelie Vedder took a 35th-place finish to round out the top five.

Zanelle Willemse crossed the finish line 37th and freshman Anne Akagi placed 40th with times of 19:29.1 and 19:58.6.

All five returning Bucs set new personal-best times while freshmen Akagi and Vedder made their CSU debuts amongst a field that saw regional powers N.C. State, South Carolina, UNCG and Davidson take the top-four spots.

Thornhill took 30 seconds off her previous time while Barnes shaved 1:15 and dropped 25 seconds on her time.

Results
Caroline Inman – 17:47.2 (9th)
Makennah Mills – 18:36.4 (19th)
Bethany Thornhill – 18:48.7 (27th)
Taylor Barnes – 18:51.7 (28th)
Amelie Vedder – 19:20.3 (35th)
Zanelle Willemse – 19:29.1 (37th)
Anne Akagi -19:58.6 (40th)

Up Next
The Bucs get another week off before heading to the CofC/Citadel Invite and Louisville Classic Oct. 5 with a 9 a.m. start time in Charleston and 10 a.m. start time in the Bluegrass State.