The St. Ambrose women kicked off the 2021 campaign with an almost perfect score. 

Led by Emma Duncan (SR/Anamosa, Iowa)'s 1st place finish the Bees took the first four places and five in the top 6 to score 16 points and win the season-opening meet at Emeis Park. 

The Bees 16 were better than Sauk Valley CC (50), Lincoln College (66) and Scott CC (87). It was the second year in a row the Bees opened their season at the Davenport park 

Duncan ran 16:38 on a wet, soggy track, nearly matching her time from a year ago. She was Jessica Mendenhall (17:11), then freshmen Sailor Anderson (FR/Chariton, Iowa) (17:30) and Morgan Miller (FR/Bettendorf, Iowa) (18:35). Rounding out the top five was Kylie Mercier (SR/Chesterton, Ind.) who ran a 4K personal best of 19:18.

"This was a great way to start the season," SAU third-year head coach Beth Jansen said. "We competed well and it was nice to see those two freshmen step up in their first meet and be aggressive. They didn't look like they were scared or nervous at all which bodes well for this group.

"Kylie also really stepped up and had a huge race. She's worked very hard and it's good to see that pay off. Top to bottom we ran really well today."

It was Duncan's first collegiate win and her first time running at the Bees No. 1 runner, and the same can be said for Mendenhall's finish as the No. 2 runner.

The Bees are back at it next Saturday hosting their annual Fighting Bee Invite at Crow Creek Park in Bettendorf.