ROME, Ga. - Thanks to sophomore Ellie Staker's ninth-place finish, the No. 15 Embry-Riddle Eagles' finished third out of 35 teams at the Southeast Classic on Saturday morning.

ERAU placed their top five runners in the fastest 50 en route to 134 total points, finishing behind only Indiana Wesleyan and Centre College.

Staker's 18:48.35 was less than a second slower than her season-best time. The native of Seattle, Wash. has been the top Eagle performer at all six of ERAU's meets this fall.

Close behind Staker was junior Karina Coelho in 13th place (18.54.19), her time was the fastest time she's put forth in 2011 by more than 35 seconds.

Finishing 29th was senior Julie Mayfield (19:30.77), and in 43rd, Baleigh Hyatt (19:44.68), and placing 44th was the Blue and Gold's fifth finisher Nicole Bonk (19:45.02).

The Eagles put forth an impressive effort for their third-place finish, besting all but one NAIA insititution at the premier NAIA meet in the Southeast.

Embry-Riddle will return to the course on Nov. 5 in Ave Maria, Fla. when they will look to defend their five straight Sun Conference Championships.