Sophomore Jessica Richardson (Columbus, Ind./North) continued her string of top-ten finishes in the 2012 season on Saturday, running to a second-place finish at the Evansville Invitational in Evansville, Ind. to lead the Valparaiso women’s cross country team as it finished in fourth place.

The Crusaders totaled 78 points on Saturday to finish in fourth place.  Host Evansville earned the team title with 36 points, while the Purple Aces’ Kelby Jenkins crossed the line in 17:48.09 to earn individual top honors.

Richardson covered the 5K course in 18:09.15 to earn the runner-up placement on Saturday, her fourth top-ten finish in as many races this season.  Junior Grace Shemwell (Clinton, Iowa/Clinton) was the next Valpo runner across the line, posting a time of 19:44.65 to finish in 15^th place.

Freshman Dezzarae Arce (Orland Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew) came home in 19^th position, finishing the race in 19:55.97, while senior Haley Kerlin (Rensselaer, Ind./Rensselaer) finished Saturday’s race in 20:20.25, good for 24^th place.  Freshman Hannah Schilling (Fraser, Mich./Lutheran North) rounded out Valpo’s top-five scoring runners, placing 27^th with a time of 20:37.26.

Valparaiso has two weeks to prep for the 2012 Horizon League Championships, being held in Kenosha, Wis. on Saturday, Oct. 27.