WATERVILLE, Maine – There may be a youth movement afoot in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC). The Terrier Classic Invitational, hosted by Thomas College, gave NAC teams a chance to preview the championship course on Saturday. Five of the top-six runners in the field of 66 were first-year athletes, including Maine Maritime's Jessica Faltings (Northport, N.Y. / Northport), who placed sixth to lead Maine Maritime to the same position the field of seven teams.

Faltings raced the five-kilometer circuit in 22:30, crossing 1:07 behind the individual medalist, Abby Shafer of New England College. Colby-Sawyer sent across a pair of first-years for second and third place. Kylee Parker was 17 seconds off of the championship pace with Emily Lopez in tow at 21:57.00. Chargers' junior Caila Walker broke up the freshman run on points with a 22:04. The second through fourth place sweep gave Colby-Sawyer the edge in the team standings over New England College, who had a fifth-place finisher in freshman Erica Notini (22:28).

Emily Fanning (New Boston, N.H. / Goffstown) ran 24:50 for 22nd place for Maine Maritime. Alice Stenquist (Bath, Maine / Morse) was the third Mariner across the line finishing 48th overall in 29:32.

Elin Sonesson (Cape Elizabeth, Maine / Cape Elizabeth), Catherine Bailey (Scarborough, Maine / Scarborough) and Caroline Martin (Scarborough, Maine / Scarborough) ran in a pack finishing in 54th through 56th places with times of 30:25, 30:29, and 30:29.10, respectively. Gabrielle Wells (Kittery, Maine / St. Thomas Aquinas) finished 62nd in 32:39, while Ashley Marcellino (Winthrop, Maine / Winthrop) finished 64th in 36.57.

Maine Maritime returns to action next weekend at the University of Southern Maine.