The Ohio Northern women's cross country team opened its 2017 season with a victory at the 9-team Bluffton 5k on Friday at the Bluffton Nature Preserve.

Junior Ashlie Baumann (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson) led Ohio Northern across the finish line in fifth place in a career-best 18:48 which ties her for 10th all-time at Ohio Northern.

"We are really exited about our women's team," said head coach Jason Maus. "They looked great today and really raced hard and were very competitive."

The Polar Bears will return to action Sept. 9 at the Calvin (Mich.) Invitational.