Washington, D.C., September 14, 2002 - The Penn State women's cross country team continued its strong early season showing Saturday as the Lions finished second, just five points shy of national power Georgetown, at the Great Meadow Invitational just outside of Washington, D.C.

Penn State freshman Tracey Brauksieck again led the way for Penn State as she finished third overall in a time of 17:42.22 on the five-kilometer course. Brauksieck paced four Lions that finished in the Top 10 as Penn State posted 40 team points. Georgetown, which finished third at last year's NCAA Championships, won the tri-meet with a team score of 35 while Yale was third with a total of 53. Yale's Kate 0'Neill won the individual competition in a time of 17:29.30.

Penn State sophomore Chelsea Lenge was the second Lion across the line for the second week in a row as she finished sixth in a time of 17:59.50. Sophomore Molly Landreth and junior Maureen Thomas also placed in the Top 10 finishing ninth and 10th, respectively, in times of 18:23.11 and 18:26.98. Junior captain Katy Hillard rounded out the Penn State scoring with a 12th place finish in 18:29.69.

The Lions are off this week, but return to action Sept. 28 as they look to defend their crown at the Paul Short Invitational in Bethlehem, Pa.