Longwood University Athletics

Cross country junior Gracie Piekarski ran the best race of her collegiate career Saturday, clocking a career-best 19:09.4 at the Cross Country Only National Invitational in Mehanicsville, Va. The South Plainfield, N.J., native placed eighth out of 48 runners for her highest collegiate finish to help the Lancers place fourth overall.

Piekarski's time was 50 seconds faster than her previous 5K best and marked the first time she has broken the 20-minute barrier as a Lancer.