GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. – The Penn State Behrend women's cross country team began their season at the Buffalo State Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions finished 4^th out of 9 teams and had five runners in the top 40.  Catie Bertges (Erie, PA/Collegiate Academy) led Behrend with a 13^th place finish and a time of 20:21.  Freshman Zofia Stark (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep), competing in her first collegiate meet, finished in 30^th place (21:34). She was followed by Katie Spade (Warren, PA/Warren) and Haley Hughes (Cochranton, PA/Cochranton) in 32^nd and 33^rd place respectively.  Spade tallied a time of 21:55 while Hughes clocked in at 21:57.  Katie Patterson (Erie, PA/Villa Maria) rounded out the top five with a time of 22:16.

The Lions get a week off before returning to their home course on September 17^th for the Behrend Invitational.