HASTINGS, Neb. – When the Bronco Stampede had only two teams register to race, College of Saint Mary Cross Country Coach Derek Fey convinced his team to make the best of it.

The Flames lost the dual meet to Hastings College 18-43.

"Well, that was a first for me and all of the runners," Fey said. "There were lots of gaps with as few runners as there were. But it was a great start to the season."

Veronica Pinkerton of Hastings won the event in a 5K time of 19:26.63. The Broncos claimed 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th to finish with 18 team points.

Chloe Inhelder (JR/Aurora, Colo.) led the Flames with a third-place finish in 20:13.56. Teammate Jocelyn Farhar (SO/Broomfield, Colo.) was seventh in 21:04.06 and newcomer Corinne Mead (FR/Elkhorn, Neb.) rounded out the Top 10 with a 10^th place run in 21:29.75.

"We ran very well as a group – running against what will become a nationally-ranked team," Fey said. "I was pleased with three Top 10 finishers. Once we figure out the first mile we are going to see lots of improvement."

Other times for CSM runners were: Kiley Craft (FR/Fargo, N.D.) 22:35.03; Autumn Simons (SO/Petersburg, Neb.) 22:50.26; Alivia Austin (FR/Papillion, Neb.) 23:02.19; Lorena Ramirez (SR/Bellevue, Neb.) 23:26.59; Madeline Krause (JR/Omaha, Neb.) 23:36.99; Alyssa Burk (SR/Omaha, Neb.) 23:40.44; Brooke Wigdahl (JR/Omaha, Neb.) 23:47.94; Emma Lee (FR/Council Bluffs, Iowa) 26:35.94; Kira Hagan (FR/Perryville, Mo.) 26:41.65; Chyna Delker (SR/Hastings, Neb.) 26:54.65; Sophie Peck (SO/Ankeny, Iowa) 30:25.60.

The Flames compete again next weekend at the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invite in Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 17.