KNOXVILLE -- Baylor's Lady Red Raider cross country team won its first invitational title of the 2012 season when they claimed first place in the Cherokee Classic here at Sequoyah Park Saturday morning.
Freshman sensation Grace Carlson finished second overall in 19 minutes, 44 seconds as Baylor captured first in the 28-team field with 62 points.
"I'm really pleased with the way these young ladies raced today," said Baylor coach Heather Ott after all the awards had been presented.
"We've been working to break up races like this into smaller segments with concentration and focus on the factors we control. I think they did a nice job of that today.
"They all felt good and they appeared to be relaxed. I think they made themselves tougher with today's race," Ott continued.
While Peyton Meiske of Knox Webb was first in 19:39 and Carlson second five seconds later, Baylor senior and four-time All-State performer Haley Chandler was fifth in 20:15. Ruthie Townsend had an impressive performance to finish ninth in 20:20.
Other Baylor times included Caitlin Duggan in 21:40, Sydney Gautier in 21:53, Adrienne Webb in 22:10 and Rachael Schatzman in 22:12.
While Baylor was first with 62 points, Maryville was a distant second with 97 and Knox Webb third with 122.
The Baylor girls return to action next Saturday when they head over to Moccasin Bend for the annual PowerAde Invitational, another big meet put on by UTC and coach Bill Gautier.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@comcast.net)