COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Harding women's cross-country team didn't explode off the line, but rather built their race like a rising tide. Starting well outside the top 10, the Lady Bisons executed a disciplined, patient 6K performance Friday at the Gans Creek Classic, steadily climbing the leaderboard to secure a seventh-place finish out of 20 teams.

The Lady Bisons finished the University of Missouri-hosted race with 212 points on the Gans Creek Cross-Country Course. Washburn won the event with 61 points.

Freshman Vivien Kipkorir continued to lead the Harding charge for the second consecutive race this season. Kipkorir was the team's top finisher, placing seventh overall with a time of 22 minutes, 18.3 seconds.

Harding's consistent pack scoring was anchored by senior Josie Parks, who was the second Lady Bison across the finish line, placing 24th in 22:47.6. Freshman Addison Lyles secured the third spot for Harding, coming in 57th with a time of 23:33.6.

The defining narrative of the day was Harding's mid-race surge. The team began the race in 13th place after the first 1,000 meters but steadily improved. By the 3,000-meter mark, the Lady Bisons had cracked the top 10. They settled into eighth place through 5,000 meters before making one final push in the last kilometer to claim the seventh-place spot overall.

Rounding out the scoring positions were senior Jaclyn Weilnau (117th, 24:51.8) and freshman Zoe Williamson (118th, 25:56.9).

The meet marked the first time Harding's women's cross-country program has competed in Columbia, Mo. It was their second meet of the season; they previously won their home meet on Sept. 12. The Lady Bisons will return to action on Oct. 11 at the Lewis Crossover in Romeoville, Ill.