ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Members of the Elmhurst University women's track and field team kicked off the outdoor season by running at Washington University in St. Louis' Distance Carnival. 

Running in the 10,000 meters, Emily Clausen and Elita Spadlowski both posted top-30 times. Clausen finished 25th overall, crossing the finish line in 38:25.47. Spadlowski completed the race in 39:06.63, good for the 29th fastest time in field of nearly 50 runners from all NCAA divisions. 

Emily Gilligan and Natalia Hernandez turned in strong performances in the steeplechase, placing seventh and eight, respectively. Gilligan was the first Division III runner to cross the finish line, placing seventh in 11:14.74. Hernandez finished right behind in eighth place with a time of 11:16.79. Both times are currently ranked in the top-10 of Division III.