Shadow the leaders, form a pack and pull and away in the final 1K of the race.

The strategy for the ISU women’s cross-country team at the Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational on Friday was similar to the one it deployed throughout last season.

Replicating last year’s season opener at the Bulldog 4K Classic in Des Moines, the Cyclones swept the top four spots in Friday’s invitational, finishing first with 17 points. Iowa State defeated Iowa, Northern Iowa and Illinois State. 

Instead of staining Drake’s home grass cardinal and gold, the Cyclones earned their first 2015 season victory on rival Hawkeye soil. 

Evelyne Guay, Kate DeSimone, Maryn Lowry and Andrea Toppin completed the sweep for the Iowa State, respectively.