First-year Lauren Acker showcased a ton of potential with a top-10 finish at the season-opening non-scoring Wooster Invitational hosted by The College of Wooster cross country team on Friday evening at L.C. Boles Memorial Golf Course.

Acker went 15:58.5 for 10th on the women's 4,000 meters course, which was the third-best time among Div. III entries. Friday's field also included NCAA Div. I programs Cleveland State University and Kent State University.

Senior Joe Ahmann led Wooster's men, taking 20th with a time of 22:43.8 on the four-mile course. Senior Zane DeMercurio was right behind, crossing at 22:51.9, which was 23rd in the field. Sophomore Basil Keck rounded out Wooster's top-40 finishers, placing 32nd with a time of 23:21.1.

Sophomore Grant Mentzer was Wooster's No. 4 on the men's side, posting a time of 23:54.1. Senior Jack Schuller (24:38.8), senior Charlie Cuttino (24:53.9), and senior Reese Johnson (24:59.5) comprised the rest of Wooster's top-seven.

Senior Amy Gabrovsek went 18:03.0, crossing as Wooster's No. 2 women's harrier on the day. Junior Elise Wheeler was next at 18:48.6. Junior Naomi Kaczor (19:17.5), junior Colette Christopher (22:51.1), and junior Wyn Caudle (23:51.8) rounded out Wooster's finishers.

Kent State's Ella McCollom went 15:12.7 to win the women's 4,000 meters. Otterbein University's Payne Ratliff was the top men's four-miler, covering the course in 21:05.0.

Next, Wooster competes at the Otterbein Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 13. The meet is scheduled for a 10:45 a.m. start.