TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University sophomore Tara Smurla has been named the Landmark Conference Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week for her performance last week.

Smurla paced the Greyhounds at the Stockton University Osprey Open with a time of 23:21.41 on the 6,000-meter course as she finished fourth of 133 runners. The Blue & Grey took the top team spot of the 16 competing schools.

"Tara had an incredible summer so we're not surprised to see her racing well," stated Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Jesse Baumann. "She started off really well on Saturday, she looked smooth, relaxed, and was feeling really good. In fact, she jumped up a few spots to take the lead around the 2-mile mark, but then unexpectedly felt a little off the 3rd mile and ended up sustaining a steady effort to finish with what was still one of the best times of her career. The Stockton runner she was with for much of the race will unquestionably be in contention for NCAAs in November, so it's encouraging that Tara is able to run with her and it reinforces a number of goals she has for the fall."

The Greyhounds are slated to return to action on Saturday, September 30 when the squad competes in the annual Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh University.