PRINCETON, N.J. - The Haverford College women's cross country team ran to a 12th-place finish  Saturday morning at the Princeton Invitational hosted by Princeton University.

Freshman Nora Weathers led the impressive effort by the Fords as she finished in 22 minutes, 41 seconds to claim 43rd place in the field of over 200 runners.

Haverford, ranked 16th in this week's United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division III national poll, was the first D-III squad to finish. The Fords' total of 311 points topped several D-I programs such as George Washington (341), Rider (352), Lehigh (379) and Monmouth (401). Columbia took the team title with 83 points.

Also running well for Haverford were freshman Fiona Hendry (59th) and sophomore Katie Balmer (60th) who both crossed the line in 22:58. Rounding out the Fords' scoring places were seniors Sara Hess (71st, 23:05) and Andrea Tocci (78th, 23:10). 

Juniors Chelsea Thorsheim and Emily Scott finished 80th and 91st, respectively.

Accumulating 38 points, Haverford placed first in the women's Open Race. Maggie Hefernan (third), Erin Seglem (sixth), Csilla Vamos (eighth) and Cara Keifer (10th) each placed in the top 10. Kelley Riffenburgh, the Fords' final scorer, followed closely behind in 11th while Bridget Freeley and Nora Howe finished 12th and 14th, respectively.

The Princeton Invitational was the final tune-up before the 2012 Centennial Conference Championship hosted by Haverford on Oct. 27. 

Championship race: Team results    |   Individual results

Open race: Team results   |   Individual results