PEORIA, Ill. -- The Bradley women's cross country team broke into the latest regional rankings, checking in at #15 in the Midwest Region poll announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Monday. 

The Braves broke into the poll for the first time since Nov. 2009, after a strong performance at the season-opening Bradley Open Friday at Detweiller Park.  Freshman Sarah McMahon (Colfax, Wis./Colfax) placed fifth in the women's three-mile to pace four Bradley individuals in the top nine.

Bradley's top four finishers were all underclassmen, with sophomore Cassie Lohmeier (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) and the freshmen duo of Emily Delvo (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin) and Molly Dahlquist (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame) also placing in the top 10 in the standings.

McMahon ran a 17:25 to finish 12 seconds behind Maddie Aufmann of Illinois, who won the women's three-mile race in a time of 17:13.  Lohmieier was seven seconds off McMahon's pace in seventh at 17:32, with Delvo (8th - 17:40) and Dahlquist (9th - 17:43) following closely behind. 

The Braves are one of three Missouri Valley Conference teams ranked in the Midwest Region, joining Wichita State (11th) and Illinois State (12th) in the poll. 

Bradley returns to action Friday at 5 p.m., running in the Illinois Intercollegiates in Normal, Ill.