COLORADO SPRINGS -- Jenna Dorsey-Spitz took fourth place among college runners to lead the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs women's cross country team to a fifth-place finish at the Colorado College Invitational Saturday at Monument Valley Park.

Dorsey-Spitz's time of 23 minutes, 58.25 seconds was just over 23 seconds behind Mesa State's Samantha Towne, who won the race.

"The start was pretty good; I just tried to stay relaxed," said Dorsey-Spitz. "That was the important part through the first mile -- just to stay relaxed. I worked it down the hill, stayed focused during the straight and gave it all I had."

Kaitlyn Frier was second for the Mountain Lions and 18th overall. She was followed closely by Christy Severy (22nd), Vivian Reed (23rd), Tavia Hammond (24th), Whitney Lund (29th), Alicia Del Pardo (31st) and Paige Hall.

Frier, Reed, Del Pardo and Hall are all freshmen.

"I think they're doing great," said Severy of the new Mountain Lions. "Their performances so far have been awesome. It's hard coming in a running college (straight) from high school, but they're adapting really well."

For her part, Severy started deliberately but steadily passed runner after runner.

"That's how I like to race," said Severy. "I like to start out slow and then try to work my way up because it's definitely more fun to pass people than to be passed."

Dorsey-Spitz has taken the role of leader since all-American Shannon Payne was shelved for the season with knee surgery. She said that the training regimen of new coach Mark Misch has been a welcome change.

"We feel refreshed for the races, so that's exciting," said Dorsey Spitz. "I think the team's coming along great. Coach is doing a great job with all the young ones that we have on the team.

"When it matters, at regionals, we'll be there to show everybody how strong we are."