Emma Balazs completed her first cross-country race with the University of Idaho Vandals during Saturday's Clash of the Inland Northwest meet, an event primarily for freshmen and new recruits.
The graduate of Kelly Road secondary school placed 18th in the race with a time of 15 minutes, four seconds (15:04.0), ahead of her fellow freshmen teammates, Alex Siemens (23rd, 15:11.0) and Ally Ginther (27th, 15:15.0).
The Vandal women placed second overall while the men were third.
Wayne Phipps, director of track and field/cross country at Idaho, said it was a good first meet for his team to get the season started and shake off some of the rust from a relaxing summer.
The Vandals have a two-week break with their next competition in Seattle for the Sundodger Invitation on Sept. 14.
