MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - The West Virginia University cross country team closed out its regular season at the Nuttycombe Invitational, in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday, Oct. 15. 
 
"Today's race can be summed up as a bitter-sweet performance," said coach Sean Cleary. "Ceili was outstanding, and the team was good. We came here looking for a great performance. We beat some national class teams but let a few slip away from us by an inch."
 
Junior Ceili McCabe led the team with a first-place finish in a 6K time of 19:57.4.
 
"Ceili is no longer under the radar," Cleary said. "Today was an excellent opportunity to show just how much she has improved over the last year. It is interesting to note Ceili was the winner of the NCAA's most competitive meet of the regular season. She is fully aware that on any given day, 10-15 of her competitors can turn the tables on her. Knowing her, she will return home, put this behind her and build for the remainder of the season."

Six Mountaineers competed at the Nuttycombe Invitational. Redshirt junior Katherine Dowie followed behind in 91st place and finished the 6k in a time of 21:13.0. She was followed by redshirt junior Mikaela Lucki, who placed 124th in a time of 21:27.9.

Additionally, fifth-year senior Sylvia Russell finished the 6K in 152nd place in a time of 21:39.4. She was followed by fifth-year senior Hayley Jackson who placed 153rd and finished in a time of 21:39.4.
 
Rounding out the Mountaineers in today's race was sophomore Maria Kaylor placed 210th with a time of 22:15.1. 
 
WVU was one of 36 schools racing in the Nuttycombe Invitational, with a total of 267 runners. The squad placed 19th overall.
 
"It is an interesting situation we find ourselves in," said Cleary. "We have the opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Championships and expect to prepare for that. There are two weeks until the Big 12 Championship and two more until the first round of the NCAA Championships. I believe and expect that we will be an even better team over the next month."
 
Looking ahead, the Mountaineers begin their postseason in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the Big 12 Championships, on Friday, Oct. 29, at OSU Cross Country Course.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.