GRAND RAPIDS, Mich – Lisa Voyles and McKenna Palmer finished 2nd and 3rd on Friday at the WHAC Championships to lead the Indiana Tech women to a top three team finish for the third consecutive year.  It marked the first time since 2008 that two Warriors have finished in the top three at the event.

While the event was held at a familiar site, Grand Rapids' Riverside Park, where the Warriors raced at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge just two weeks ago, it was not the regular 5K course, but an extended 6K route that matches the new national championship distance. 

Voyles took 2nd in 21:58.6 to break her own school record at the 6K distance.  Her previous mark of 22:34.2, set at the IWU Twilight earlier this year, was also surpassed by Palmer who finished in 22:28.1.  

By virtue of their finishes at the conference meet, both Voyles and Palmer will represent Indiana Tech at the national meet regardless of a possible team selection.  It will be the fourth consecutive appearance for Voyles and the second time Palmer has competed in the meet. 

For Voyles, finishing second marked the highest finish in three appearances at the WHAC Championships.  She earned her third consecutive First Team All-WHAC honor while Palmer earned her first, following second team honors a year ago.

In all, six of the seven Warriors who had previously run a 6K earned a PR on Friday.

Anna Green was third for the Warriors and 22nd overall in 24:32.6.  Karla Julian finished 27th in 24:43.0 and Paige Thamer rounded out the top five for Tech in 31st at 24:54.1

Raya Warnsley ran a strong 25:12.4, followed by Anyssa Heinold (25:46.9), Korissa VanOver (26:09.7), and Emily DuVall (26:56.3).

Cornerstone put four in the top 12 to earn the team win with 42 points.  Aquinas (73) edged Tech (82) by nine points for second.  The top five also included Michigan-Dearborn (109) and Madonna (138).

While the Warriors will still hold out hopes for a team berth, Lisa Voyles and McKenna Palmer have earned an invitation to compete at the NAIA Championships on November 17th in Vancouver, Washington.