COCKEYSVILLE, Md. -- The Morgan State cross country team began the 2016 season on Friday afternoon at the Towson Invitational, held at Oregon Ridge Park. The Lady Bears would finish the dual scoring meet, falling to host Towson by a score of 15-50, before beating Howard, 21-35.

Led by Karen Escobedo, who finished the 5-kilometer race in 11th-place in a time of 20:18.3, the Lady Bears would have three runners finish in the top-20. Chantai Smith ran a time of 22:15.4 to place 16th, while Rachel Bauer placed 18th with her time of 22:28.4.

Towson’s Allison Marella captured the individual title in a time of 18:13.3. Marella’s time was the third fastest in Towson history for a 5k race on an Oregon Ridge Park course.

Morgan State will travel to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Delaware State on Saturday, Sept. 10 for the Hornet Invitational in Dover, Del.